EU stays mum on East Jerusalem as ties with Israel improve

The European Union has prepared a harsh report on Israel's activity in East Jerusalem, but has decided to delay its release in the wake of the recent warming of ties between Israel and Europe.

EU foreign ministers discussed the Middle East in a meeting Monday and decided to express "deep concern" over Israel's activities in East Jerusalem and its environs, including establishing settlements, constructing the West Bank separation fence and demolishing homes. According to the EU, such Israeli activities minimize the chance for a final-status agreement over Jerusalem, threaten to make any solution based on the coexistence of two states impossible, and conflict with international law.

The foreign ministers called for certain EU officials to prepare a detailed analysis of the situation in East Jerusalem, to be adopted and publicized during the next foreign ministers meeting.

Political officials in Jerusalem said the EU report had already been prepared by European consuls in East Jerusalem and that the report severely criticizes Israel's actions in the area. However, the foreign ministers apparently decided Monday that the timing was not appropriate - Europe is finally set to play an active role in the political process by sending monitors to the Rafah border crossing and establishing a European delegation to improve the Palestinian police.

In addition, the comments about Jerusalem were included as the last section of the foreign ministers' statement about the situation in the region, after the praise for reaching an agreement on Rafah and mention of the upcoming Palestinian elections.

The political sources said the Europeans are following Israeli politics as well and have noticed that even the Labor Party candidate, Amir Peretz, supports a united Jerusalem.

In their statement, the EU ministers called on Hamas to renounce violence, disarm and recognize Israel's right to exist, but did not demand the disarmament as a condition for Hamas' participation in the elections. The statement said there is a fundamental conflict between armed activity and the establishment of a democratic state.

The EU ministers called on Israel to assist the Palestinians with their upcoming elections, especially in improving voting arrangements in East Jerusalem, including registration and access to the polls.

Meanwhile, the EU-Israel Association Committee met to discuss procedural issues Monday, in the wake of an agreement to upgrade relations.

On Sunday heads of state from European and Arab countries will participate in a conference in Barcelona to mark the 10th anniversary of the Euro - Mediterranean Partnership.

Harsh UN resolution condemning Israel removed from agenda

Following a successful round of talks held Monday by Israeli ambassador to the UN, a resolution proposal containing harsh condemnations of Israel will not be voted on at the UN General Assembly this year. The proposal has been voted on in the last four years and won the support of most UN members.

The resolution on the state of Palestinian children and humanitarian aid they receive contains very negative references to Israel. Among other things it expresses serious concern for the fact Palestinian children are still denied basic rights anchored in the Convention on the Rights of Children.

The resolution also said the situation of Palestinian children in the occupied territories, including in East Jerusalem keeps deteriorating. According to the proposal the children's situation is gravely influenced by the continued blockades and attacks by Israel on Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps.

Israel managed to garner sufficient support for its initiative to remove the proposal from the agenda of the current assembly and prevent a second vote. Israel's main support came from EU country members. The rejected proposal will be replaced by an old resolution on a Palestinian issue, but it will be devoid of any negative mentions of Israel.

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