EU Insists All Deals With Israel Must Show They Cannot Apply To Occupied Territories
Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 1/18/16 3:10 pm EST
BRUSSELS — The European Union said Monday that all its deals with Israel must "unequivocally and explicitly" show that they cannot apply to occupied territories, a move that builds on a November decision to label Israeli products made in the West Bank.
Palestinians welcomed the stance, while Israel accused the EU of discrimination.
Monday's meeting of 28 EU foreign ministers stressed that it "does not constitute a boycott of Israel which the EU strongly opposes."
Israel's Foreign Ministry said the EU statement had been "softened" thanks to lobbying by the ministry and by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but said the EU had ignored the Palestinian Authority's responsibility for the freeze in peace negotiations.
Read more: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/22de5e900fdc4e92befd2a50478b78e6/EU--Europe-Israel
