World Jewish News

EU FMs to issue statement saying Israeli settlements are 'worrying development'

European Union Foreign Ministers are likely to issue a declaration in which they express concern over Israeli settlements and call for the preservation of a viable two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, at their monthly meeting on Monday in Brussels.
"Against the backdrop of worrying developments on the ground in 2011, particularly with regard to settlements, the EU reaffirms its commitment to a two state solution," says the text to be adopted by foreign ministers on Monday.
"The legitimacy of the State of Israel and the right of Palestinians to achieve statehood must never be called into question. The viability of the two state solution must be preserved," the draft says.
The EU also urges Israelis and Palestinians "to demonstrate their commitment to a peaceful solution" to their decades-old conflict.
A leaked report written by EU heads of mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah accuses Israel of "systematically undermining the Palestinian presence in the city (of Jerusalem) through the continued expansion of settlements."
According to Israeli media reports, the envoys drafted a document calling for a Palestinian Authority presence in Jerusalem, the division of the capital city in a peace agreement, and the possibility of blacklisting settlers perceived as violent by the EU.
The delegates reportedly called for a boycott of Israeli products made in east Jerusalem, as well as in the West Bank, and argued that Israel has sought to "emphasize the Jewish identity of the [capital] city, at the expense of its Muslim and Christian residents" in a campaign to annex east Jerusalem.
Last week, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country is among Israel’s best allies in the EU, urged Israel to stop settlement building in order to kick-start the Middle East peace talks, during a meeting in The Hague with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
A construction freeze would be 'extremely beneficial' for the discussions, Rutte said, before going on to plead for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu denied the settlements are being expanded, arguing that building is only continuing in areas that have already been settled.
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators met twice in the Jordanian capital Amman this month to try to revive the peace process but there was little outward sign of a breakthrough in the first such meetings in 16 months.
The Quartet of Middle East mediators - the United States, Russia, United Nations and the European Union - gave the two sides until January 26 to present their proposals on the issues of borders and security.

EJP