French Troops Nearly Fire On Israeli Jets

[MasterAdnin]

PARIS (Reuters) - French peacekeeping troops in Lebanon recently came within two seconds of firing missiles at Israeli fighter jets that approached as if to attack them, French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said.

Speaking to the lower house of parliament on Wednesday night, she said this was the latest in a string of incidents in which Israeli warplanes had "adopted a hostile attitude" to French and German forces and said it was "not tolerable".

"A catastrophe was narrowly avoided by our troops," Alliot-Marie said, according to a transcript of her comments. She did not say exactly when or where the events took place.

Israeli F-15s descended rapidly and then rose quickly as if they were dropping bombs or firing at the French ground forces, which are part of U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL, she said.

"In legitimate defense, our soldiers removed the covers from the missile battery and were two seconds away from firing at the planes that were threatening them," she said.

Israeli jets have routinely flown over Lebanon since a 34-day war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas ended on August 14 in a U.N.-sponsored ceasefire and the expanded deployment of international peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese government and the U.N. force say the Israeli flights violate a U.N. ceasefire resolution. But Israel says the missions are necessary to help ensure that arms are not smuggled into southern Lebanon from Syria to resupply Hezbollah.

France has repeatedly called on Israel to stop the flights.

"I therefore draw your attention, after having done so at the U.N., to the respect needed for UNIFIL forces and to the risk that irresponsible pilots take by acting this way," Alliot-Marie told lawmakers.

The Israeli air force was also involved last month in two encounters with German forces.

The first concerned two planes which a German paper said had fired twice as they flew over a German navy ship. Israel denied they fired but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed regret over what he called "misunderstandings".

A subsequent incident, described by Germany as "not menacing", involved a German navy helicopter and Israeli F-16 fighters.

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Discuss.

Salaam,
Adnan

[Money Inc]

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Discuss.

It does sometimes help if the thread author would share his opinions on the matter rather then just rely on others to do it first. Rant over, sorry if I have offended you.

Well it’s clear the Israeli military wants to test the UN peacekeepers to see how far they can push them before they fight back. This may suggest that Israel still has ambitions in this area, to drive out the remnants of Hezbollah.

It would be interesting to see how America would react if they French managed to shot the jet down. No doubt this would have caused a big ho-ha at the next UN summit.

[MasterAdnin]

It does sometimes help if the thread author would share his opinions on the matter rather then just rely on others to do it first. Rant over, sorry if I have offended you.

I know, and don't worry, I'm not offended. I just wanted you guys to discuss before I gave my opinion.

As for what many people said, I'm sure it's just individual bad apples, but those bad apples could lead to a war between France and Israel. Stupid idiotic acts such as this should not be tolerated, nor are they acceptable. As you read in the article, the French are getting angry as there are increasing number or acts such as this, and the if the French become annoyed to the point where they declare war due to the hostilities. I am not over exaggerating either, the French stated they were prepared to fire back at the Israeli's.

Salaam,
Adnan

[KaerMorhen]

Well, maybe "warmongers" in Israeli Governant don't want presence of U. N. troops in Lebanon and those "misunderstandings" will happen again soon, time will tell what's happend there.

[Harbringerxv8]

Isreal's obviously trying to make the situation difficult for UNIFIL. The fact that this has happened before with the Germans basically confirms it. The UN bases in Lebanon are no secret, everyone knows where they are. That would be the equivalent of an American live-fire exercise accidentally hitting the Golden Gate Bridge. I think that if this happens again, there's a good chance that a lower-echelon commander is going to decide that he would rather live than maintain the shady free for all that exists right now.

[Your Lame Sister]

A plane flys low and the french wanted to shoot it down? the brits dont do it to american planes, even after several british soldiers were killed in an accidental american bombing.

[Bwaho]

My brother knew a guy who had been down there on a peacekeeping mission. He said the israeli soldiers did things like this all the time. They would do a lot to harass the peacekeepers and so they really hated the israeli soldiers.

A plane flys low and the french wanted to shoot it down?

no it dives like it's about to attack... that's what planes do right before they strike.

[dr0p]

So Israel begged for peacekeeping force just to harass them? Whats wrong, harrasing Palestinians isn't enough these days?

Give me a break...

[wilpuri]

So Israel begged for peacekeeping force just to harass them? Whats wrong, harrasing Palestinians isn't enough these days?

Give me a break...

Ok, let's hear your explanation for the bad behaviour of the Israeli forces?

[MaximiIian]

no it dives like it's about to attack... that's what planes do right before they strike.

You sure he wasn't just...diving for the heck of it? If I were in a jet, I'd dive for no reason, just 'cuz it'd be exhilarating.

[Carach]

came within 2 seconds? where do the media get this crap from?

not like the peacekeepers can even use their weapons - they arent allowed to lol....

[Your Lame Sister]

The french wanted to get into lebanon, now they have to deal with it. if the french would fire on israeli jets (and i dont think they are allowed to) they would be the only losers.

[Bwaho]

So Israel begged for peacekeeping force just to harass them?

There appears to be israeli soldiers who don't agree with Israels official stance. Could be they consider it too "soft". They want tougher measures against the enemy. So when the "lame" peacekeepers arrive they take out their anger and discontent on them.

Whats wrong, harrasing Palestinians isn't enough these days?

so you think israel is harrasing palestinians?

[Carach]

so you think israel is harrasing palestinians?

he was just going along with that 'logic' of some people here.... (aka he was being sarcastic)

[bigfootedfred]

Unacceptable.
If Israel threatens the UN force, they should be fired upon.
They have a right to defend themselves.
I might remind posters here that the UN force is not there as an 'ally' of Israel.
So a reference to 'British troops not shooting at American planes' is irrelevant.

If Israel continues to berate the ceasefire and threaten UN troops.
They should be fired upon.

And i have seen my country's flag alongside Israels, with titles proclaiming allegiance.
I find this highly insulting.
It might interest some here that a large part of the move that forced Mr Blair to say he will stand down.
Was because of his support for Israel, and the American position during the onslaught on Lebanon.

[happyho]

Let's not forget the four UN peacekeepers killed by the Israeli's during the invasion of Lebanon. They were warning the Israelis that they were firing too close to the UN position right before they killed the four UN peacekeepers in their well marked and well known fortified observation post. This is not the first time they have done this. When you are a soldier on the ground and you are aware that a certain military has a habit of making 'mistakes' you are going to be on your guard. I say the French troops showed admirable restraint considering these flights are a violation of international law.

Even the UN is calling on them to stop. And by the way unless the British have also come under fire by Americans it was Canadian troops that were killed by American bombs. Of course the Americans received no real punishment for this. Schmidt and Umbach are murderers. Back on topic I believe the French troops should have their mandate and rules of engagement changed as the French commander is asking for. Carach the media got this 'crap' from the military leaders on the ground and the media also got a report from the French government after they summoned the Israeli ambassador to inform him of their 'unhappiness' with perceived aggression by 'irresponsible pilots'.

[sephodwyrm]

Another smear on the already really smeared reputation of the IDF.

But I give credit to them. They are equally nonchalant in front of everyone.

[sephodwyrm]

You sure he wasn't just...diving for the heck of it? If I were in a jet, I'd dive for no reason, just 'cuz it'd be exhilarating.

I'm sure if you're a professional military member in a military jet, there are certain conducts that you have to follow.

[RusskiSoldat]

How is this the fault of Israel?
Was there an IDF directive ordering troops to provoke UN units?
I believe that more likely it's the actions of individual soldiers not content with the humiliating defeat at Lebanon when Israel could've easily leveled the country to dust.

[PacSubCom]

As always, it's just a few bad apples.

Nothing to see here, move along...