BRITAIN

BRITAIN

The Guardian, London, Jan. 13: The question as Israeli tanks grind into Gaza City is what actions or arguments the rest of the world can take or make that will have any resonance in a country which now gives every appearance of having turned its back on global opinion.

Between orderly nations one state can express its disapproval of another by calling in the ambassador for an “interview without coffee” (to adopt the army terminology of the moment) or by withdrawing its own. Such diplomatic moments send important signals. It is now time for David Miliband formally to request just such a conversation with Ron Prosor, Israel’s man in London.

Britain’s hand wringing

Israel should take no comfort from the protracted wrangling that led to last week’s U.N. resolution calling for a ceasefire, nor from America’s abstention or Britain’s hand wringing. All the signs are that the Obama administration is not going to be sympathetic to a future of failed blockades or the intransigent refusal to talk to Israel’s enemies.

(T)he talk elsewhere is now of boycotts, of arms embargoes, of revoking trade agreements, withholding financial support and canceling export credit guarantees. These are not all appealing options, nor should they be yet necessary. But a country which truly rejects the collective concerns of the international community leaves its friends, never mind its enemies, running out of road.

ISRAEL

Jerusalem Post, Jan. 11: The world must be wondering ... why it is taking so long for Jerusalem to cave into pressure for a cease-fire in Gaza. From the U.N. Security Council, that renowned bastion of international probity, and the constellation of Muslim, Arab and nonaligned states to our unwavering European allies, the international community — and much of the media — wants Israel to stop fighting.

Feeling of pride

Speaking at the ... cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made Israelis feel proud when he summed up the justice of the struggle and denounced the world’s callous reaction: “For three weeks now Israel has been making an impressive military effort in the Gaza Strip in order to change the security situation in the south of the country. For many years we’ve shown restraint. We reined in our reactions. We gritted our teeth and absorbed barrage after barrage.”

“Israel is nearing its goal (of changing) the security situation in the south so that our citizens can experience security and stability in the long term. We must not, at the last minute, squander what has been achieved in this unprecedented national effort that has restored a spirit of unity to our nation.”

Israel would have preferred to act with the support of those who claim to back our right to self-defense. In a cynical world, Israel must press ahead without it.

SWEDEN

Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm, Jan. 14: Construction and refurbishing yourself out of a crisis is a well-tested concept that is now being revived in many countries. In Germany, 18 million euros ($24 million) is being invested in roads, railways and schools as part of the 50 million euros stimulus package presented earlier this week.

Even U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to invest large amounts in fixing up the country’s worn-out infrastructure as soon as he enters the White House.

Multiplier effect

Every construction worker employed creates about three new jobs.

Infrastructure has been ignored for a long time. Now is the time to change position and invest. In contrast to the short-term stimulus of consumption, infrastructure means money for roads, railways as an investment for the future.