Tag Archive for EU

| December 10, 2012
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EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Israel’s E-1 plans

European Union heads discuss Israel’s construction plans for Ma’aleh Adumim and feel the ‘urgent need’ to restart regional peace process.

Associated Press

 

The European Union will look at ways on Monday to press Israel to ditch a plan to build settlements in a highly sensitive area of the West Bank, but hold off on tough action soon despite international outrage over the decision.

E1 area – Photo: AP

Some officials say that options for robust steps against Israel are limited due to a lack of unanimity in the 27-member EU and diplomatic protection of the Jewish state by its cast-iron superpower ally the United States. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 10, 2012
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Netanyahu: Where is the Outrage that Hamas Openly Seeks Our Destruction?

PM Netanyahu met with representatives of the foreign media in Israel, denouncing the hypocrisy of the international community.

By Arutz Sheva staff

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with representatives of the foreign media in Israel on Monday, denouncing the hypocrisy that has come to dominate the international community’s handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

“This weekend Hamas leaders openly called for Israel’s destruction. Where was the outrage? Where was the UN? Where was Abbas?” Netanyahu demanded. “Why did Palestinian diplomats not only remain silent in the face of these calls, but spoke of the intention to unite with Hamas?”

“There was only deafening silence,” asserted the prime minister. Continue Reading »

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| December 6, 2012
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EU has no intention of boycotting settlement products

EU Official says bloc “continues to oppose boycotts, including boycotts of settlement products” besides, there has to be action at the level of the UN Security Council before the EU places boycotts on countries.

Boycotting products from the settlements is not a sanction the EU is considering to demonstrate its displeasure with Israel’s recent decision to construct 3,000 new units in the settlement and push forward planning in E1, the EU’s delegation in Tel Aviv clarified Thursday.

Euro symbol near European flags - Photo: REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Euro symbol near European flags – Photo: REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

A spokesman at the EU delegation was responding to an article in Ma’ariv that said EU ministers scheduled to meet Monday to discuss Israel’s recently announced settlement plans were considering “accelerating, in a full and effective measure, the implementation of legislation on labeling and boycotting settlement products.”

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| December 5, 2012
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Israeli PM, ‘Israel has right to respond to PA provocation’

PM Netanyahu departs for Germany, where he will ask the EU to use their influence with Palestinians to prevent further unilateral & provocative actions.

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu departed for Germany Wednesday morning, where he was expected to push the message that if the Europeans want to prevent Israel from responding further to the recent Palestinian victory at the UN, they should “encourage a positive Palestinian dynamic” and keep the PA from “further provocative actions,” diplomatic officials said on Tuesday.

PM Netanyahu, wife Sarah depart from B-G Airport

PM Netanyahu, wife Sarah depart from B-G Airport – Photo: GPO/Amos Ben-Gershom

Netanyahu is scheduled to dine with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and hear sharp criticism of plans to build 3,000 housing units in the settlement blocs and east Jerusalem, as well as push forward the planning of E1 in Ma’aleh Adumin.

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| December 5, 2012
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Merkel’s message: Promote the peace process or face world seclusion

PM Netanyahu will be meeting German Chancellor Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday evening to discuss Palestinian issues.

 

With Israel and European Union states embroiled in a diplomatic crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday night in Berlin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel – Photo by AP

Merkel, who has had a rocky relationship with Netanyahu over the past four years, is expected to stress that the Israeli leader must choose between promoting the peace process, including establishing a Palestinian state, or facing international seclusion.

Despite the diplomatic crisis and the tension with Netanyahu, Merkel insisted on holding the government summit with Israel in Berlin. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 3, 2012
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The E-1 Plan – What, Where & Why

The E-1 Plan

About 15,000 residential homes along with an area police station, an industrial zone, hotels, a waste disposal facility and a cemetery to be shared by Jerusalem & Ma’ale Adumim are planned.

E1 area, officially called Mevaseret Adumim, located in the Judean Desert – Screenshot

The disputed E1 area, officially called Mevaseret Adumim, located in the Judean Desert and spans the area between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. The land in question comprises about 12,000 dunams, which is roughly 12 square kilometers (4.6 sq mi).

If or when the E-1 plan is fully implemented Palestinians could, theoretically, travel between the northern Samaria and southern Judea via a road – that at this time does not exist – through the Judean Desert, looping around the Ma’ale Adumim bloc and the expanded area of Jerusalem whose outskirts would stretch nearly to Jericho. Continue Reading »

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| November 23, 2012
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Spain: Burgas probe ‘essential’ for EU’s ban of Hezbollah

Spain’s deputy FM says the investigation’s findings into bombing of Israeli bus in Bulgaria are “essential“ for the EU process to list Hezbollah as a terror entity.

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT

 

The results of Bulgaria’s investigation into the possible role of Hezbollah in July’s suicide bombing there of an Israeli tour bus “will be essential“ for the EU process to list the Lebanese organization as a terrorist entity, Spain’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gonzalo de Benito said on Wednesday.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Jerusalem Post from Abuja, Nigeria, de Benito, whose title is secretary of state for foreign affairs, said of a proposed blacklisting of Hezbollah, “We want to take the decision with our European countries and are waiting for the report” from Bulgaria.

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| November 16, 2012
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EU’s Ashton, Germany’s Merkel & Norwegian FM Eide all say Israel has right to defend itself

German chancellor blames Hamas for escalation

EU foreign affairs chief calls for stop to rocket attacks.

Norwegian FM “It is Right & Important that Israel Defends itself!”

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, REUTERS

 

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and German Chancellor Angela Merkel both issued strong statements in support of Israel’s right to defend itself on Friday.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - Photo: REUTERS/Kimmo Mantyla/Lehtikuva

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton – Photo: REUTERS/Kimmo Mantyla/Lehtikuva

Ashton added that she hoped Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil’s visit to Gazaon Friday morning would calm the situation.“The rocket attacks by Hamas and other factions in Gaza, which began this current crisis are totally unacceptable for any government and must stop,” she said.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 13, 2012
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A EU ban on Hezbollah depends on Burgas bombing

Status change of Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist organization rests on outcome of Bulgaria suicide bombing inquiry.

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT

 

BERLIN – In deciding whether to list Hezbollah as a terrorist group, the EU will consider as a key factor the outcome of the Bulgarian inquiry into the July suicide bombing that killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver, French Ambassador to Israel Christophe Bigot told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

Lebanon's Hezbollah militants chant slogans

Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants chant slogans – Photo: REUTERS/Sharif Karim

“Our British friends would like to put Hezbollah’s military wing on the terror list,” said Bigot, adding that the “main element is what is the outcome of the inquiry in Bulgaria,” he said in a telephone interview with the Post.

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| November 9, 2012
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EU’s Ashton ‘deeply regrets’ Israel’s new building in its capital

European Union’s Catherine Ashton criticizes Israel’s decision to build 1,213 new homes in east Jerusalem; says move ‘threatens 2-state solution’

By AFP

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday criticized Israel for offering tenders this week for the construction of 1,213 new homes in east Jerusalem.

Concerned. Ashton – Photo: EPA

Ashton said in a statement that she “deeply regrets” moves to add 607 units in Pisgat Zeev and 606 units in Ramot.

“Settlements are illegal under international law and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible,” it said.

Israel‘s building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues of stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and led to direct negotiations being put on hold in September 2010. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| October 25, 2012
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FM Liberman meets EU Foreign Affairs Representative Catherine Ashton

Israel’s FM Liberman thanked the High Representative for the EU decision regarding sanctions on Iran & expressed his gratitude on the ACAA agreement.

 

By the Foreign Minister’s Press Adviser

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman met on Wednesday (24 October) in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton.

In the meeting, the two discussed relations between Israel and the European Union, as well as events in the region. Foreign Minister Liberman thanked the High Representative for the EU decision regarding sanctions on Iran. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| October 8, 2012
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Israel Could Go ‘Solo’ on Iran in 6-8 Months

Former Ambassador to Washington Zalman Shoval reports that Israel believes it can succeed in a “solo” mission

Netanyahu to meet European leaders to press them on stiffening punitive measures on Iran.

News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Israeli leaders remain intent on acting to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities, probably within six to eight months, and Israel believes it has the capability to succeed in such a mission, an envoy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Foreign Policy’s The Cable on Friday.

Satellite image of Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran. – Photo: AP

Israel’s former ambassador to the U.S. and Israel Hayom columnist Zalman Shoval, who is considered close to the prime minister, told the publication that the recent tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over “red lines” over Iran’s nuclear program have been “dialed down.”

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| October 8, 2012
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UK think tank challenges EU on its Hezbollah torpor

Whereas Canada, Holland & the U.S. recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, the EU does not.

By JONNY PAUL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT

 

LONDON – A prominent British think tank has launched a campaign calling on the EU to proscribe Hezbollah in an effort to sever its funding base in Europe and thwart its influence in the Middle East.

http://www.jpost.com/HttpHandlers/ShowImage.ashx?ID=199599

Hezbollah parade in Beirut – Photo: Sharif Karim/Reuters

The Henry Jackson Society wants the EU and the UK to formally outlaw Hezbollah in its entirety – in line with the US, Canada and the Netherlands – and recognize it as “a terrorist organization that consistently uses violent terrorist tactics.”

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 5, 2012
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Israel’s exports to EU fall to 3 yr low

Israel Export Institute reveals exports to European Union totaled $1.9 billion in July-Aug 2012 – down 21% from last year, but Israeli exports to US up 16%

By Hadar Kane, Calcalist

 

Exports to the European Union totaled $1.9 billion in July and August 2012, a 21% drop compared to the same period last year and an 8% drop compared to the two previous months, according to an analysis of the economics division at the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI).

US passes EU in Israeli export volumes – Photo: Index Open

The analysis reveals that the export of goods (excluding diamonds) totaled some $7.7 billion in July-August 2012 – a 3.5% drop compared to the same period last year and a 6% increase compared to May-June 2012. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| October 3, 2012
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Human Rights Watch: Hamas Abusing Citizens in Gaza

Int’l human rights group releases detailed report detailing severe abuses such as unfair trials, torture of their detainees & arrests without warrants.

Human Rights Watch released a report Wednesday which revealed that Hamas’ security forces in Gaza are committing severe abuses, including torture of detainees, arrests without warrants, forced confessions, unfair trials and mock executions.

Palestinian prisoner at Hamas prison in Gaza - AP - 2007


In this July 9, 2007 file photo, a Palestinian prisoner is seen at the Hamas-controlled Saraya prison in Gaza City. – Photo by AP

The leading international rights group released a 43-page report on Wednesday and called on the militant Hamas group to reform its various security forces. Continue Reading »

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