I am confident that the Europeans will be all too eager to comply with their wishes.
“Gaza: Egypt warns Europe,” from Reuters, January 27:
Cairo – Egypt warned European countries on Tuesday to think carefully before sending ships to patrol Gaza’s coastal waters to prevent arms smuggling, saying such a move could have significant consequences on ties with Arab states.
The warning by Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit came after Britain, France and Germany offered to send warships to the Middle East to monitor and prevent arms smuggling to Gaza and to help consolidate a shaky ceasefire.
“In my discussions with European foreign ministers yesterday, I warned them and said: ‘You must understand Arab and Muslim feelings’,” Aboul Gheit told a news conference, adding that if such a job was needed, the responsibility should be borne by Israel, not Europe.
“I urge you to look and consider this … because it might have consequences in Palestinian and Arab relations with you,” Aboul Gheit said, speaking after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana….