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| Europe | |
| Israel: EU is breaching international terror law | |
| 2005-12-12 | |
| Israel has accused the European Union of breaching international laws against terrorism by maintaining contact with the radical Islamist groups Hamas and Hizbollah, in a sign of new tension between Israel and Europe. Last month, EU foreign ministers gave the green light to contact with Hamas candidates in next monthâs Palestinian parliamentary elections. An official EU monitoring mission will be allowed contact with election candidates, including Hamas, only as part of its technical work. The Israeli foreign ministryâs accusations, prepared in a legal analysis seen by the FT, came as EU foreign ministers were expected on Monday to discuss an EU report that in its draft version severely criticises Israeli policies in east Jerusalem, saying they demonstrate Israelâs intention to consolidate its annexation of the Arab half of the city. Many EU officials believe the inclusion of Hamas on the EUâs list of proscribed terrorist organisations has constrained its work in trying to persuade the militant group to renounce violence. Israel has long argued that the west should suspend all engagement with Hamas and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah. âThe EU in its contacts with Hamas and Hizbollah is clearly not maintaining its legal commitment concerning the war against terrorism,â said an Israeli official familiar with the draft foreign ministry report. It cites UN Security Council resolution 1373, adopted after the September 11 attacks on the US, which stipulates that member states must refrain from providing either active or passive support to those involved in terrorism. The Israeli government has yet to decide what further action it might take against the EU. Ambassador Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal, head of the European Commission delegation in Jerusalem, said on Sunday the EU was not weakening its ban on talks with Hamas and that the EU remained committed to its political dialogue with Israel. Israel could come under criticism at two conferences in London ...
David Welch, US assistant secretary of state who was in the region over the weekend, said he expected the agreement on Palestinian movement to remain on schedule. The bus link and opening of the Rafah crossing were part of an accord brokered by Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, last month. Shaul Mofaz, Israeli defence minister, on Sunday joined Ariel Sharonâs new party Kadima, which was formed by the prime minister following a rebellion by rightwingers in the Likud party opposed to this yearâs Gaza withdrawal. Mr Mofaz said he would remain defence minister if Kadima won in Marchâs general elections. | |
| Posted by:lotp |