President Milanović: Croatia should recognize Palestine, and Israel wants to provoke a global conflict violently
“Israel can do what it wants, and has been doing so for decades, that is crystal clear. I think that one should not have to deal with such a state and such a state leadership. It’s simply criminal politics leading nowhere and unfortunately has Washington’s support. Why is it in America’s interest, I don’t know. Someone wants to provoke a global conflict, is doing so violently, insolently and with American weapons”, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović commented today in his statement to the media on the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. “Croatia should recognize Palestine”, he added.
President Milanović says Israel’s politics must be openly discussed. “Because what happened 100 years ago, the holocaust, I’m not responsible, nor anyone involved in Croatian politics today. Therefore, we must speak without any complexes, and any possible, incomprehensible to me, feeling of some residual ancient guilt. A criminal is simply a criminal, and some of the leadership of the current Israeli government are criminals“, he said and concluded: “And what the Israeli embassy here or their Ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks of my view, I don’t really care”.
He further commented on the decision of the Parliamentary majority not to support his proposal to appoint judge Sandra Artuković Kunšt for Supreme Court president.
“Let them reject the proposal for appointment in the Croatian Parliament, but they won’t get another candidate, except if she explicitly opt out. We can’t play like that, it’s not fair. No serious objections were found against the candidate. I know she can’t be a great, excellent and brilliant candidate as those of Mr. Plenković, I don’t have such candidates. But I think she is a worthy judge. However, there were several ways to say it on time. Plenković will know what I mean. To humiliate someone like this, no way. Accordingly, if there will be a new invitation to apply for the position of Supreme Court president, I am telling those who would be interested, not to apply because I won’t propose anyone”, President Milanović stated.
President Milanović further commented on the case of the soldier, member of the Honorary and Protection Battalion, who is suspected of committing a double murder. “This is a solder with a lower level of security certificate and, as far as I know, there were no indications of this, people I have reason to trust tell me that this could not have been seen from his behaviour”, he noted. Asked if the security system in the case of this solder failed, he replied: “Before the investigation is completed, I can’t say anything conclusive and concrete as you would want me to, but such things happen and will happen because individuals who join the army have not previously passed an entrance exam as for something like the Vienna Boys’ Choir. These are a somewhat rougher type of people and among them there will always been those whose behaviour is questionable. A soldier’s job is to defend and shoot, it’s a job most parents don’t want for their children. There will be rough and violent people in those circles, but don’t consider all of them life that, because they’re not. But it’s not a job for everyone, and when you choose a particular type of person, you often get all kinds”.
Asked if the President’s security was jeopardized, he replied: “As far as I know, it wasn’t, but it’s better for me to be in danger, than you. But I wasn’t“.