They can't sanction Iran so they'll sanction Israel instead?
As I have documented many times, the European Union can't get its act together to properly enforce sanctions against Iran. But that hasn't stopped a group of retired European Union politicians from proposing sanctions against Israel due to the collapse of the 'peace process.' In a December 2 letter to Ashton, 26 former EU leaders, including her predecessor Javier Solana, urged her to threaten Israel with sanctions for failing to respect the freeze on new settlements.Fortunately, there are some countries that won't go along.
It also calls for an April 2011 ultimatum for Israel to fall in line or see peace efforts referred back to the international community.
Coordinated by former foreign affairs commissioner Chris Patten and former French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine, the letter was signed by seven former premiers, three ex-presidents and seven former foreign ministers.
Signatories include former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt and ex-prime ministers Romano Prodi of Italy, Felipe Gonzalez of Spain and Lionel Jospin of France.
But internal EU splits restricting the field of action for Ashton, who has made three visits to the region since taking on her position a year ago but came under sharp criticism for failing to attend the relaunch of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in Washington in September.After all, the Europeans know better than anyone how the 'Palestinians' are starving in Gaza:
And for many EU members -- notably Germany and the Czech Republic -- sanctions against Israel remain taboo.
Thus a statement to be issued by EU foreign ministers next week goes no further than saying "Urgent progress is needed towards a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," according to a draft seen by AFP.
The nine-paragraph statement reiterates the EU view that settlements "are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace".
"The legitimacy of the State of Israel and the right of Palestinians to achieve statehood must never be called into question," says the draft, which may yet be changed ahead of the Monday meeting.
It also expresses the EU's readiness to assist in the reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza and offers to help, with an estimated 10.7 million euros, improvements in infrastructure for crossing points as well as providing equipment and training Palestinians to operate the crossings.
Don't they?Labels: Catherine Ashton, Chris Patten, European Union, Javier Solana, Middle East peace process
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:51 PM
2 Comments:
The Europeans should deal with their own conflicts rather than lecture Israel on how to settle the one it has. Like the problem they have with their own Muslims.
What could go wrong indeed
From the article: "It also expresses the EU's readiness to assist in the reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza and offers to help, with an estimated 10.7 million euros, improvements in infrastructure for crossing points as well as providing equipment and training Palestinians to operate the crossings." ---------- I must have missed the report on how the EU is helping to rebuild Sderot.
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