Israel, U.S. under fire in Europe

Pope John Paul sharply criticised Israel on Wednesday for "humiliating" the Palestinians, while European newspapers attacked the United States for not doing enough to halt Middle East Israeli violence.

In a strongly-worded statement, the Vatican said it had called in the Israeli and U.S. ambassadors to the Holy See on Tuesday to discuss the crisis.

It said the Pope "rejects unjust conditions and humiliations imposed on the Palestinian people as well as the re-risals and revenge attacks which do nothing but feed the sense of frustration and hatred."

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has sent troops and tanks to reoccupy a string of West Bank towns and villages and besiege Palestinians.

Newspapers in Britain, France, Germany and elsewhere in Europe were scathing in their criticism of U.S. President George W. Bush, accusing him of neglecting the Middle East, siding with Israel and focusing too narrowly on his "war against terror".

In London, a Financial Times editorial urged Washington to intervene "to halt the widening reoccupation of territories under Palestinian control".