Contacts are ongoing on various levels between the EU and the Israeli government regarding the directive adopted by the European Commission which contains guidelines stating that an Israeli entity seeking funding from or cooperation with the European Union will have to submit stating that it has no direct or indirect links to the West Bank or East Jerusalem.
The directive drew sharp reactions from Israel where the press speaks of a crisis in the relations with the EU.
“I am aware of several contacts through the EU delegation in Israel and the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels,’’ said Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, at the daily press briefing of the European Commission on Wednesday. She couldn't elaborate.
Asked whether the issue might be addressed at next Monday’s meeting of the 28 EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels, she stressed that it was not linked to the meeting as ‘’it’s a decision from the European Commission.’’