Akashma Online News

Israel is furious about the decision of EU

By Marivel Guzman

This is part of the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, whether was promoted by the BDS movement or not, not the less add to the efforts to end Israel illegal occupation of more Palestinian Land, which will eventually lead to the dismantling of Israel all together.

The European Union has confirmed that it will no longer allow EU funding to go to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. EU member states will be banned from providing any “grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU” unless Israel guarantees that they will not benefit the settlements.

EU is firmed in its decision to stop funding for Illegal Settlement activities that undermine any prospect for peace.

EU guidelines for Israel Read here

Israel has condemned the move, saying it may harm efforts to revive peace talks.

Israeli Cabinet minister, Silvan Shalom, said: “The Europeans are making a big mistake once again. They always would like to play a key role in the peace process but once again they are showing us that they cannot play a key role because they don’t have a balanced attitude towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.

Under its 2000 Co-Agreement Israel-EU,  Israel had  violated its part. Israel agreed to provided an appropriate framework for political dialogue, allowing political developments between the parties. Under this agreements Israel never allowed dialogue, always acted unilaterally without taking in consideration the political repercussions of its actions inside the territories. Now, Israel must face the consequences, EU reached the consensus that no financial aid from its member should be allowed to finance more illegal settlements inside Palestinian Land.

“Given its advanced economic development, Israel is only eligible for a limited amount of bilateral funding under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). However, the country has benefitted from a variety of other budget lines relating to the promotion of peace and democracy.”

EU Commission spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, defended the EU’s position, saying: “It’s in conformity with the long-running, long-standing EU position, that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and also with the position that I already mention, with the non-recognition by the European Union of Israel sovereignty over the occupied territories.”

Those who live in the settlements say they should not be treated differently.

Rachel Marciano, a resident of Har Homa in the West Bank said: “I am completely against the decision to make a difference between the settlement and Israel. I think that Jews are living over there and we are all of us Israelis. They are Israelis, we are Israelis so there shouldn’t be any difference between us”

The United States wants to get peace talks back on the table but the Palestinians say they will not return to negotiating as long as Israeli settlement construction continues. The settlements, built on land captured by Israel in the 1967 war, are viewed as illegal under international law.

The Palestinians hope to build their state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, where the settlements are being built.

The new guidelines will take effect from next year. They do not affect trade and goods originating from Israeli settlements will still be allowed into the EU.

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