Israel is insisting the EU demonstrate respect and fairness towards the Jewish state and cease its anti-Israel bias and clear pro-Palestinian agenda.
Israel and the European Union (EU) are holding talks in an attempt to resolve the recent diplomatic crisis and disputes the two have experienced over the past months.
Kol Israel Radio reported Tuesday that the EU is refusing to rescind its directive to specially label Israeli products coming from Judea and Samaria, thus singling them out for boycotts, but has offered a form of compensation for the damages Israel might incur in return for the renewal of their suspended diplomatic activities and involvement in a possible diplomatic resolution between Israel and the Palestinians.
In November, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended contacts with EU representatives on Mideast peace issues to protest the 28-nation bloc’s decision to label Israeli exports from the Judea and Samaria and the Golan Heights, which the EU deems as “occupied” territory.
The Prime Minister’s Office and Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on this report.
Israel’s Ha’aretz reports that the talks began last week with the arrival of Helga Schmid, the EU’s Deputy Secretary General for the External Action Service, in Israel.
During the secret visit, Schmid met with Foreign Ministry director general Dore Gold, as well as representatives of the National Security Council (NSC) and officials from other ministries.
An official told Haaretz the details of an agreement were yet to be finalized, adding: “The EU is very unhappy that we froze everything having to do with the peace process vis a vis them. They understand that they have to give us something, in a statement, action or a more positive approach.”
By: United with Israel Staff