David Cameron: Gaza is 'a prison camp'
Britain's new prime minister jumped headlong into the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Did he leap too far?
Britain's Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron bluntly called Gaza "a prison camp" during a state visit to Turkey, and British conservatives are split over the implicit criticism of Israel. "Good for David Cameron," says The Daily Telegraph's Mary Riddell, for calling Gaza what it is, a prison camp, and showing that "Britain will not humor the Netanyahu government over Gaza." No, "such provocative, emotive language" just obscures the "two-sided coin" of blame for Gaza, says Peter Hoskin in The Spectator, with Hamas playing at least as much a role in Gaza's misery as Israel. Like it or not, this "shameless love-in with Turkey," and shaming of Israel, is classic "Cameron-style kick-and-run diplomacy," says Simon Tisdall in The Guardian. Calling "a spade a bloody shovel" may lack for subtlety, but it's how "Britain's greenhorn prime minister" rolls. It may be "radical" or "naive," but it's "certainly different." Watch Cameron's remarks:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published