Israel blasts "unfortunate" threat by EU - Arutz Sheva Staff

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by Arutz Sheva Staff

Foreign Ministry responds to EU High Representative statement that application of sovereignty would not go "unchallenged."

Josep Borrell                                                                                                                       REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded Tuesday to the threats of European Union High Representative and Vice-President Josep Borrell, who warned that the EU would respond if Israel applied its law over any parts of Judea and Samaria.

"The fact that Josep Borell chose to use threatening language toward Israel, shortly after he took office and only hours after his meetings in Iran, is unfortunate, to say the least and very strange," the Foreign Ministry stated.

In his statement, Borell said that "the European Union is fully committed to the transatlantic partnership and values all efforts to help find a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The EU recalls its commitment to a negotiated two-State solution, based on 1967 lines, with equivalent land swaps, as may be agreed between the parties, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition – as set out in the Council Conclusions of July 2014."

"The US initiative, as presented on 28 January, departs from these internationally agreed parameters."

In his statement Borrell also criticized the deal's suggestions on the issues of borders, Jerusalem, and its management of the "refugee question."

"The European Union calls on both sides to re-engage and to refrain from any unilateral actions contrary to international law that could exacerbate tensions," the statement said, adding that the EU is "especially concerned by statements on the prospect of annexation of the Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank."

"In line with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the EU does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967.

"Steps towards annexation, if implemented, could not pass unchallenged," he warned.

He concluded by promising that "the European Union will continue to support all efforts aimed at reviving a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and which is acceptable to both parties" and emphasizing that "the European Union reiterates its fundamental commitment to the security of Israel."


Arutz Sheva Staff

Source: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/275562

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