Western Europe is holding its breath with fascinated curiosity as tens of millions watch the fighting in Lebanon on their television screens. Most West European governments refuse, however, to become involved one way or another in the Lebanese turmoil.
Foreign ministries in practically all Western Europe have deplored the Israeli invasion but privately, diplomats in Paris, London and Rome, shrug off any European initiative saying that the United States, and they alone, can put a stop to the fighting and impose a new cease-fire.
Diplomats in Western Europe deplore the Israeli offensive less for humanitarian reasons than because they fear that Western positions in general, and especially America’s, have been further eroded throughout the Arab world. Several prominent diplomats contacted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency expressed misgiving that America’s lack of influence on Israel would strengthen Soviet influence throughout the Middle East.
President Francois Mitterrand and Britain’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher asked President Reagan during the recent Versailles summit, to do whatever he can to try and obtain a cease-fire in Lebanon at the earliest time. The Japanese delegation also asked the Americans to try and stop the fighting before the Arab world considers using oil as a political weapon.
Greece, whose newly elected Socialist administration is especially close to the Palestinians one the Arab world, is the only country to have called for a joint European initiative. Most West European governments have not yet replied to Athens’ request, hoping that the Israeli operation would end on its own before they could intervene. Both Portugal and Spain, also generally sympathetic to the Arab cause, have only paid lip service until now to the Greek request.
SHAMIR STILL WELCOME IN FRANCE
Mitterrand condemned Israel but refused to be drawn into any definite commitments. Foreign Ministry officials said that Israeli Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir who is due in Paris Monday for a two-day visit “will be welcomed.”
The press has been more critical of the Israeli operation. Press reports have played up civilian losses in Lebanon and television coverage has devoted extra time to descriptions of “Lebanese civilian sufferings.” The general public has on the whole reacted with something like admiration for the efficiency and bravery of the Israeli troops involved in the fighting.
Israeli embassies and various Jewish organizations and publications say they have received telephone calls and letters from the public approving Israel’s action, generally seen as an anti-terrorist operation. Western Europe, plagued for years by a variety at terrorist activities, is specifically sensitive to this issue.
Israeli embassies throughout Europe have also been active in trying to explain Israel’s motives for the operation and Jerusalem’s desire to reach a solution providing for a peaceful life for both the Israeli and the Lebanese populations.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
