British split with Bush as Israeli tanks roll in
· Minister attacks 'disproportionate' raids · 2,000 troops cross into Lebanon
Ned Temko, Conal Urquhart in Tel Aviv and Peter Beaumont in Beirut Sunday July 23, 2006
Britain dramatically broke ranks with George Bush last night over the Lebanon crisis, publicly criticising Israel's military tactics and urging America to 'understand' the price being paid by ordinary Lebanese civilians.
The remarks, made in Beirut by the Foreign Office minister, Kim Howells, were the first public criticism by this country of Israel's military campaign, and placed it at odds with Washington's strong support. The Observer can also reveal that Tony Blair voiced deep concern about the escalating violence during a private telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, last week. ...
<http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1826969,00.html>
Carl