A diplomatic incident seems to have been settled between Israel and the European Union, the latter having apologized Wednesday night after the publication of a statement virulent against the expansion of Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria.
In the message posted earlier this week by Roy Dickinson, a diplomat of the European Commission it was stated that "the policy of settlements strangling the Palestinian economy and kept the Palestinians in a state of dependence vis-à-vis countries donors.
Following these accusations, a senior Foreign Ministry Rafi Barak convened the EU ambassador to Israel Ramiro Cibrian Uzal to express its indignation and say that these allegations were not substantiated.
In addition, Israel's ambassador to Brussels, Ran Curiel, met Wednesday evening a representative of the European Commission Technical Support (ECTAO). It was established that these statements were made without the knowledge of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Affairs of the European Union. The Foreign Ministry has finally expressed his satisfaction at the end of this interview, even if we know that Europeans do not approve the expansion of Jewish settlements.
As the United States, tensions persist with Israel after meeting U.S. envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The spokesman of the Secretary of State Ian Kelly raised the issue again Wednesday night to remember that Israel must "freeze construction in settlements." He added: "Senator Mitchell and the Minister Barak had excellent talks but have not changed our positions."
He continued by saying that both sides must respect their commitments and efforts to foster contacts in order to revive talks for the establishment of a comprehensive peace. That is to say that for Americans, if the Israelis must stop their work in Jewish settlements, Palestinians, meanwhile, must stop the provocations and terrorist acts. And this must be done concurrently with the processes of the Arab countries for a "normalization of ties with Israel."
by Claire Dana-Picard
http://www.actu.co.il/2009/07/la-construction-en-judee-samarie-toujours-au-centre-du-debat/
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