EU showing (some) signs of strength in front of the Islamofascists?

Or is it really about playing on both sides, once again?

Emphasis mine, as always.

The European Parliament yesterday passed a strong resolution with a large majority on the controversy caused by the cartoons depicting Mohammed, condemning the burning of embassies and threats to EU citizens in several Islamic countries "with maximum energy." Without naming any, the Parliament blasted several governments for "not taking measures" or "tolerating" these actions. Europarliament president Josep Borrell two weeks ago criticized the publication of the cartoons.

The Parliament considered it especially serious that some governments "permitted" these attacks, considering that "in those countries the freedom of expression, speech, and assembly is habitually violated."

Europarliament president Josep Borrell, a Spanish Socialist, two weeks ago criticized the publication of the cartoons, and claimed that if they had referred to Christianity there would have been similar reactions.

The resolution, agreed on by all political parties, makes explicit reference to Iran, regretting "the reiteration and the strengthening of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli propaganda." The text says that in Iran and other Islamic countries, "caricatures that are degrading and humiliating to the Jews are regularly published." The Europarliament expressed its solidarity with Denmark, and stressed that a commercial boycott of Danish products is equal to a boycott of the EU as a whole.

The Parliament also emphasized the inviolability of the freedom of expression and the press, but asked that it be used prudently in order to prevent religious and racial hatred. The text says that freedom of speech "is a fundamental value of the EU. Freedom of speech must be exercised within the limits of the law, and should coexist with personal responsibility and be based on respect for the rights and sensitivities of others."

The Europarliament asked those who exercise their freedom "not to abuse it by inciting hatred for religious motives or by expressing xenophobic and racist attitudes." However, the text continued, "Freedom of expression and the independence of the press, as universal rights, cannot be undercut by any individual or group who feels offended by what is said or written." It expressed its "solidarity with those who were offended by the caricatures of the prophet Mohammed, and any possible crime can be taken to the justice system."

The art of saying one thing and its opposite at the same time.