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Last update - 21:34 26/01/2009
EU aid chief: Hamas 'enormously responsible' for Gaza war
By Reuters
Tags: Israel news, Hamas, EU, Gaza

Standing in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Monday, the European Union's foreign aid chief condemned Hamas for acting like "a terrorist movement," and accused the Islamist group of having "enormous responsibility" for the devastation caused during Gaza in three weeks of fighting between Hamas and Israel.

Louis Michel was among the most senior foreign officials to visit the coastal enclave since Hamas seized control in 2007.

"Hamas has an enormous responsibility for what happened here in Gaza," said Michel, the humanitarian aid commissioner, as he stood in a United Nations aid compound damaged by an Israeli shelling.
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He echoed Israeli criticisms that Hamas used civilians as "human shields" by fighting in populated areas and, describing Hamas rocket fire on Israel as a "provocation", he said in English: "Hamas is acting in the way of a terrorist movement."

Michel also criticized Israel for the offensive - which it launched in a bid to end daily rocket fire from Gaza on its southern communities - and appealed to Israel to allow in more aid.

Hamas said it was "shocked" at his comments.

Michel, a former Belgian foreign minister, said that, in line with EU policy, he did not meet Hamas officials, most of whom have remained out of sight since fighting ended a week ago.

The European Union is the biggest donor to the Palestinians and Michel announced a further 58 million euros in humanitarian aid for 2009, of which 32 million euros would go to Gaza.

Speaking of the Israeli bombardment, he criticized the destruction of factories and other economic infrastructure: "What I saw was abominable. It was unjustified," Michel said.

He called on Israel to open its crossing points with the Gaza Strip "massively", to let in not only food and medicines but materials required for reconstruction.

Israel denies entry to supplies such as cement and steel piping, saying that these can be used by Hamas for military ends. Israel has also defended its military tactics in Gaza, saying they were appropriate for warfare in congested areas. A Hamas official, Mushir al-Masri, criticized Michel's remarks.

"It was shocking to see a European official giving cover to massacres and terrorism committed by the Zionist enemy against the Palestinian people," he said.

"Palestinian resistance is as legitimate as the resistance of European countries that fought against foreign occupiers."

Michel, who said both sides should be held accountable for breaches of international law, said: "When you kill innocents, it is not resistance. It is terrorism."

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      1.   who said what? 19:00  |  Stem cell 26/01/09
      2.   Palestinians knew Hamas virtues before they voted for Hamas! 19:32  |  Johann 26/01/09
      3.   Well, Louis Michels words are definitely carrying some weight.... 19:36  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/01/09
      4.   well well well what`d ya know 19:43  |  mau mau 26/01/09
      5.   Classic colonial logic 19:46  |  Jaan 26/01/09
      6.   A terrorist Organization that acts like a terrorist organisation 19:51  |  Kris Lazar 26/01/09
      7.   Silly 19:57  |  Jordan 26/01/09
      8.   At last an answer to my question 19:58  |  H 26/01/09
      9.   That`s funny, JPOST says something different 19:58  |  Richard 26/01/09
      10.   Have your cake and eat it to 20:06  |  Ibn Filastin 26/01/09
      11.   # 4 Richard....any way you look at it 20:08  |  Lynn 26/01/09
      12.   Well, finally ... 20:09  |  Angel 26/01/09
      13.   4 Richard. EU chief said verbatim: 20:18  |  actually 26/01/09
      14.   OH DEAR OH DEAR 20:30  |  Brant 26/01/09
      15.   Scolastic questions, Richard... 20:30  |  Israeli citizen 26/01/09
      16.   I struggle with the human shield point. 20:32  |  Stephen L 26/01/09
      17.   #1 I completely agree 20:47  |  Jon 26/01/09
      18.   He also said EU is fed up with paying ... 20:50  |  David Plane 26/01/09
      19.   European media uses the term "joint guilt"of Hamas.... 20:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/01/09
      20.   Israel has no right to defend itself 21:00  |  Roberto 26/01/09
      21.   acted like terrorists? you mean they have other work? 21:07  |  Avi 26/01/09
      22.   # Jaan’s flyover of cuckoo’s nest 21:08  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 26/01/09
      23.   DINO AND LOUIS MICHEL 21:12  |  Brant 26/01/09
      24.   The question is 21:19  |  Giora 26/01/09
      25.   3 billion euro 21:25  |  brian 26/01/09
      26.   #18 Roberto 21:26  |  Giora 26/01/09
      27.   Hamas "`shocked`" by EU chief`s comments 21:30  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/01/09
      28.   Answer to #7. 21:32  |  ashamed 26/01/09
      29.   Dont see no riots in Europe 21:33  |  Jeff 26/01/09
      30.   "When you kill innocents it is not resistance. It is terrorism" 21:36  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/01/09
      31.   #19 Swiss....the video of his statement 21:45  |  Lynn 26/01/09
      32.   Bravo Mr. Michel ! 21:49  |  Benjamina 26/01/09
      33.   Swiss (Dino) # 19 21:51  |  Philippe 26/01/09
      34.   To: Roberto 21:52  |  Angel 26/01/09
      35.   Brant 21:53  |  Philippe 26/01/09
      36.   #16 Stephen L.....I guess you missed the videos 21:53  |  Lynn 26/01/09
      37.   # 23 Brant and the "whitewash" that simply isn`t there.... 21:56  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/01/09
      38.   Fair article and fair statements 21:59  |  Dave Duncan 26/01/09
      39.   Israel is running scarred of a Palestinian state! 22:06  |  Maureen Ann 26/01/09
      40.   Response to Roberto #20 22:10  |  Paul K 26/01/09
      41.   To: H in London 22:11  |  Angel 26/01/09
      42.   To: Ibn Filastin 22:24  |  Angel 26/01/09
      43.   Weird Logic 22:31  |  European 26/01/09
      44.   #20 Roberto 22:34  |  Carrie 26/01/09
      45.   Avi - Acting like terrorists 22:35  |  Pat 26/01/09
      46.   Say hard words...then sign the check 23:02  |  Alain 26/01/09
      47.   #16... firing rockets next to your family 23:07  |  daniel 26/01/09
      48.   BLAME THE VICTIM! 23:12  |  Samy 26/01/09
      49.   re 20 another drive by critic 23:14  |  alan the real one 26/01/09
      50.   To all Europeans on this talkback 23:34  |  Bobby 26/01/09
      51.   Stem cell # 1 23:35  |  Philippe 26/01/09
      52.   The Truth Will Out 23:55  |  Hugh 26/01/09
      53.   #16 Stephen L 23:56  |  Jake 26/01/09
      54.   Hamas responsibility 23:56  |  jim 26/01/09
      55.   25hey samy. "victim, schmictum!" What are you talking about? 00:01  |  facts,just the facts 27/01/09
      56.   #25 sammy 00:02  |  Jake 27/01/09
      57.   What about EU responsibility for the miserable state of affairs? 00:15  |  Ben Alofs 27/01/09
      58.   #25 Samy...while you are right about elections 00:38  |  Lynn 27/01/09
      59.   Hamas acting like a terrorist movement? Whatever next? 00:50  |  Leonie Lachmish 27/01/09
      60.   Samy victim is Israel and Hamas aggressor 00:56  |  Vitorio 27/01/09
      61.   RESPONSE TO #27, LYNN! 01:08  |  Samy 27/01/09
      62.   I`m Shocked, SHOCKED 01:19  |  Jeff Northridge 27/01/09
      63.   Lynn, you appear unaware of what happened in Gaza. 01:29  |  Ibrahim 27/01/09
      64.   Roberto - really 01:31  |  ChanahS 27/01/09
      65.   to : alan the real one 01:33  |  J 27/01/09
      66.   Samy`s specious use of words 01:35  |  ChanahS 27/01/09
      67.   #26 alan the real one 01:38  |  alan, original one 27/01/09
      68.   Louis Michel : "le Hamas a une responsabilité écrasante" 01:45  |  Jew- and Bookburner 27/01/09
      69.   Louis Michel 01:58  |  Joe hill 27/01/09
      70.   Gaza not occupied since 2005 03:59  |  leucippe 27/01/09
      71.   Leucippe very stupid! 05:41  |  john and the TRUTH! 27/01/09
      72.   Brant ranting from Souh Carolina 06:20  |  john and the TRUTH! 27/01/09
      73.   What about EU responsibility for the miserable state of affairs? 06:41  |  Ben Alofs 27/01/09
      74.   john distorting the TRUTH! 07:44  |  Hugo 27/01/09
      75.   European Union cheif... turning the heat of what... 09:03  |  Maureen Ann 27/01/09
      76.   Why should we take Michels words with a healthy grain of salt ??? 09:38  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/01/09
      77.   # 23 Brant and the "whitewash" that simply isn`t there...... 09:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/01/09
      78.   Yes Hamas is enormously responsible, 09:52  |  Nagiha Sahyouni 27/01/09
      79.   Lets hope the Pals will respect the EU`s words 10:03  |  Harvey 27/01/09
      80.   SWISS avoiding fact.1 Did Hamas ignore repeated warnings?? 11:54  |  PETER SM 27/01/09
      81.   To: Nagiha Sahyouni 11:54  |  Angel 27/01/09
      82.   John and the TRUTH! # 53 A Blockade Is Not An Occupation 12:05  |  Jeff Northridge 27/01/09
      83.   58 Million Eurps Flushed into the Toilet 12:27  |  Baruch Gold 27/01/09
      84.   Hamas, a legitime palestinian resistance ? 12:32  |  brussels 27/01/09
      85.   Newsflash! hamas Tactics are not original! 12:38  |  Natallie Durson 27/01/09
      86.   #43 Samy....I know about coups 14:11  |  Lynn 27/01/09
      87.   Terrorist, Hamas is aptly named 17:32  |  Big Sur 27/01/09
      88.   Ibrahim and Samy....off subject and just a question 17:35  |  Lynn 27/01/09
      89.   #20 Roberto Israel has every right to defend itself 17:38  |  BIG SUR 27/01/09
      90.   #60 Natalie never heard of the Balfour Declaration 17:42  |  Big Sur 27/01/09
      91.   Ishmael and his descendants 17:43  |  NMF 27/01/09
      92.   Israel has no right to defend itself 18:41  |  Peter Morris 27/01/09
      93.   Right Samy #43 18:43  |  Roo 27/01/09
      94.   hugh in toronto,the "truth" is everybody has finally waken up to 18:44  |  terrornator 27/01/09
      95.   #65 Big Sur parrotting the usual trollope 18:47  |  Pronsias 27/01/09
      96.   I googled it Big Sur and here is what it says--go on -look 18:52  |  Pronsias 27/01/09
      97.   Pronsias G-d`s answer to truth...nah! 19:20  |  Big Sur 27/01/09
      98.   #71 never said Israel wanted it all, 19:23  |  Big Sur 27/01/09
      99.   Comments 20 and 67 19:29  |  Peter Gerard 27/01/09
      100.   ibraham,i respect the elections but that doesn`t mean anyone has 19:34  |  terrornator 27/01/09
      101.   To: Pronsius 21:58  |  Angel 27/01/09
      102.   Natallie Durson 22:31  |  TonyL 27/01/09
      103.   Text of the Balfour Declaration 22:41  |  Angel 27/01/09
      104.   To Big Sur 22:45  |  Observer 27/01/09
      105.   Angel - you stated the Victor is allowed to keep land 22:47  |  Pronsias 27/01/09
      106.   HAMAS 23:04  |  ANTONIO CASTALDI 27/01/09
      107.   #71 Pronsias 23:31  |  Daybreak 27/01/09
      108.   Angel we already know the text.What is your point 23:43  |  Pronsias 27/01/09
      109.   Angel--where is the Hague /Geneva convention you claimed 23:50  |  Pronsias 27/01/09
      110.   #67 alan, original one...If Israel controls so much 00:48  |  Lynn 28/01/09
      111.   europe wakes up 01:26  |  david hall 28/01/09
      112.   #85, Durson`s "newsflash" 02:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/01/09
      113.   Israel did not allow civilians to take refuge in ber Sheeba 02:38  |  Jon 28/01/09
      114.   To those who so care about Palestinians. 06:41  |  JewGirl 28/01/09
      115.   #113 Are u kidding me? 06:45  |  JewGirl 28/01/09
      116.   From Jimmy Carter 07:56  |  Freeatlast 28/01/09
      117.   Hamas in Gaza 08:03  |  Jack Coppedge 28/01/09
      118.   20 Yes, Roberta an occupying power has no right to self defense 08:40  |  Dutch 28/01/09
      119.   Hamas islamo fascism? 09:37  |  romulus 28/01/09
      120.   #39 Moron-ann. That`s scared with one R 18:51  |  Ari ben Yisrael 28/01/09
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