“In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 10:20)
While the European Union has denied the allegations, Haaretz on Monday published an EU document showing that Europe might target Israeli politicians who hold views they don’t like, while “supporting” others in Israel aligned with their agenda.
The internal EU document supposedly shows endorsement from all 28 member states for a spectrum of measures to exert pressure on Israel as well as “punish” the country for electing “undesirable” representatives or views. (Salon)
“There is big frustration in Europe and zero tolerance for settlement activity. This paper is part of the internal brainstorming being done in Brussels these days, about what can be done to keep the two-state solution alive,” states a European diplomat familiar with the document. (IBT)
Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, gives a press conference with Avigdor Liberman, Israel’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, in Jerusalem on November 7, 2014.
The EU’s new foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced at a news conference shortly after a meeting of the 28 member states and the Haaretz publication, that the document is only a “technical working hypothesis.” It was drafted on September 11 in response to the requests of the member states after the recent war with Gaza.
She said the meeting earlier on Monday focused on “how to start a positive process with the Israelis and Palestinians to relaunch a peace process…. It was not at all a question of isolating or sanctioning anybody.” (Reuters)
Yet, the council did adopt six conclusions that imply the working document could become a formal document if Israel doesn’t behave. The conclusions state:
“Recalling that settlements are illegal under international law, the EU and its Member States remain committed to ensure continued, full and effective implementation of existing EU legislation and bilateral arrangements applicable to settlement products.
“The EU closely monitors the situation and its broader implications and remains ready to take further action in order to protect the viability of the two-state solution.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on November 7 with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy during which he told her that Jerusalem was not a settlement. She apparently was not swayed in her opinion, however. (Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO)
In this regard, Israeli MKs such as Naftali Bennett, Uri Ariel and even Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin could bear some kind of punishment by the EU for their position against the creation of a Palestinian state.
Protecting “the viability of the two-state solution” for the EU includes ensuring that Jerusalem becomes a divided capital between Israel and a Palestinian state.
“Recent settlement activity in East Jerusalem seriously jeopardizes the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states,” adds the statement.
The EU is very serious about keeping Jerusalem divided. Earlier this year, the EU has already denied access to its €77 billion Horizon 2020 research and innovation program to any Israeli research or educational facility operating within the West Bank or Golan Heights territories. So sanctions are underway.
The technical working document says funds that might support Israel’s presence in the disputed territories must come to an end, while recommending “support (of) or non-opposition” to unilateral actions from Palestinian groups—such as joining international groups in an attempt to acquire greater legitimacy in demands for a Palestinian state. (RT)
A Jewish youth recites morning prayer at the Western (Wailing) Wall wearing tefillin (phylacteries) and a tallit (prayer shawl). (Photo credit: Go Israel, Noam Chen)
Therefore, European companies such as the Dutch Royal HaskoningDHV that operate in the areas of Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem on behalf of Israel, have been encouraged by their governments to do business elsewhere. Royal HaskoningDHV has since terminated its operations. (electronicintifada)
“The fact is that there is an agreement among all 28 member countries of the European Union to discuss measures against Israel, and that is what should worry the government in Jerusalem and the Israeli public. This [technical working] paper will be handed over to the political echelon in Europe, which will decide which actions, if at all, to take,” a European diplomat told Haaretz.
The policies of the EU toward the disputed areas seem to be drawn from the same quiver as previous demands for “Judenfrei” areas in Nazi Europe. In pressuring Israel to clear Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem of Jews—or in rejecting Jewish growth in these areas—Europe’s leaders have become de facto endorsers of apartheid against the Jewish People.
