Sanctions Against Iran, Pressure On Israel--And Hamas? (Zzzzzzzzzzz...)

Daled Amos
11 October '10

When there is a need to pressure Israel, the European Union knows how to do that very well
Noam Shalit, father of kidnapped Gilad Shalit

It took a long time coming, but Obama finally approved sanctions against Iran and began coordinating them--although how effective they have been is open to question.

Israel, of course, has every action pertaining to self-defense criticized--with both Operation Cast Lead and the incident of the Mavi Marmara investigated by UNHRC-sponsored commissions whose objectivity and thoroughness are open to doubt.

Meanwhile, Hamas--which continues to fire rockets into civilian areas of Israel--faces neither sanctions nor sustained world criticism.

The European Union has not done enough to pressure Hamas to release Gilad Schalit, the captive soldier’s father, Noam, told reporters on Sunday night.

“When there is a need to pressure Israel, the European Union knows how to do that very well,” Schalit said.

He spoke after meeting briefly with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. The two men visited Noam and his wife, Aviva, at the protest tent located just outside the prime minister’s Jerusalem residence, where they exchanged pleasantries with the couple who has waited for their son’s return since he was first captured on the Gaza border in June 2006.

Of course, one reason why the world has no real interest in Gilad Shalit being held hostage without visitation--contrary to the much vaunted International Humanitarian Law--is that the solution is so simple, if only Israel would be reasonable, but:

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