Haaretz
EU sanction expected over Gaza
Date: 10-16-04
By Aluf Benn
The Foreign Ministry fears an increase in European pressure on Israel, up to and including the possibility of suspending Israel's free-trade agreement with the European Union, in light of the growing European criticism of Israel's actions in the territories and of the policy declarations emanating from Jerusalem.
Government sources predicted that the Europeans will try to exploit the "diplomatic vacuum" created by the American elections.
When the European Council of Foreign Ministers met last week, it adopted a resolution criticizing Israel and instructed the EU's foreign policy czar, Javier Solana, to draft recommendations for a Middle East strategy for the council's next meeting on November 5. The Foreign Ministry believes that Solana will present a detailed list of measures to advance the road map and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the EU feels that it must pressure Israel, and has various means of doing so: threatening to apply the International Court of Justice's opinion on the separation fence; suspending discussions on Israel's entry into the European Neighborhood program; threatening to halt funding for the Palestinian Authority, thereby making Israel responsible for financing the territories' humanitarian needs; and finally, its heaviest weapon - suspending the Association Agreement, Israel's free-trade pact with the EU.
Last week's Council of Foreign Ministers statement demanded that Israel immediately halt its military operation in Gaza, reiterated the EU's commitment to the road map and declared that Europe will not recognize any changes in the pre-1967 borders unless they are part of an agreement with the Palestinians. In addition, "in the light of recent statements" from Israel - a reference to the interview that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's adviser, Dov Weisglass, gave to Haaretz - "the Council also underlined that the withdrawal [i.e. the disengagement plan] must not be an attempt to replace the Roadmap and the two-State solution it encompasses."
It also recalled that settlement activity is "contrary to the Roadmap."
France's new foreign minister, Michel Barnier, will make his first visit to Israel today.
SOURCE
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