EU reportedly rallying member states to threaten Israel — RT World News
Brussels wants West Jerusalem to suffer 'consequences' if it refuses to budge on Palestinian sovereignty, Financial Times claims
The European Union called on its members to warn Israel of this “consequences” The Financial Times reported on Monday that the European Union would refuse to recognize Palestinian statehood, a move that many in the bloc say is necessary to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
According to a document prepared ahead of talks between EU foreign ministers and senior Israeli and Arab officials, Brussels reportedly proposed to member states that “Identify the consequences they envision attaching to participating or not participating.” From Israel's side of the plan.
Previous reports indicated that the European Union called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as a prerequisite for lasting peace and normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab world. This was announced publicly by European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday “From now on, I will not talk about the peace process, but I want the two-state solution process.”
Commenting on the document seen by the Financial Times, an EU official told the newspaper that the bloc has both. “Incentives and disincentives” To persuade Israel to respond to this call. He specifically referred to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which removed many trade barriers between the two sides. The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner and represents more than 30% of its imports.
A Financial Times source also noted that the plan reflects anger among some European Union members over Israel's reluctance to adopt a two-state solution, while warning against… “It's hard to impose on him [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu.” The official added that the Israeli leader “It may not be around forever.”
Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state on Sunday, and insisted on it “We will not give up full Israeli security control over all lands west of the Jordan River [River]”. He has also repeatedly said that Israel will not end its war against Hamas until the Palestinian armed group is destroyed.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, and the ensuing conflict killed more than 1,200 Israelis and 25,000 Palestinians and brought unprecedented devastation to Gaza. Despite numerous calls to end hostilities, Israel has remained reluctant to do so. The only brief cessation of fighting was in late November, when Hamas released about 100 Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners.
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