EU orders tighter restrictions on Jewish settlements

The European Union has issued stricter instructions barring contracts between all 28 member nations and any governmental or private Israeli entities operating in the existing Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem. The new order stipulates that any future contracts between the EU member states and Israel must include a clause stating that East Jerusalem and the West Bank are not part of the sovereign State of Israel and, therefore, not part of the contract. Israel radio reported on Tuesday that the embargo, which comes into force next Friday, covers any cooperation, awarding of grants, prizes or funding for any of the entities functioning in the occupied territories. The EU statement drew furious reactions from Israel. A senior Israeli official, who did not wish to be identified, described the ban as “dramatic and earthshaking,” telling Haaretz newspaper that it was the first time such official and unequivocal instructions had been issued by the European Union. Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin said the EU decision was of grave concern and would make it hard for Israel to conduct contracts or joint agreements with the bloc. Israel radio quoted a senior foreign ministry official as saying that there is nothing new in the EU policy, but this is the first time the bloc has laid out a binding written document.