Haaretz
Adar 15, 5767
Palestinian Authority
Chairman Mahmoud Abbas accused the European Union on Sunday of
discriminating against the Palestinians, and of fostering an unjust,
pro-Israel approach.
He went on to complain to the EU of "a series
of provocative and illegal Israeli actions."
In an unusually harsh
letter from Dr. Rafiq Husseini, Abbas' chief of staff, to German Foreign
Minister Frank Walter-Steimeier, the Palestinian leadership complained of
several instances in which Israel has allegedly violated its prior
commitments, including the road map.
Husseini noted in his letter
to Steimeier - current president of the European Council - the reports of
Israel's intention to build a new Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem,
and the construction of a new Jerusalem District police headquarters
beyond the Green line.
"At a time when the Palestinian people are
at the threshold of a historic national consensus... such Israeli actions
only serve to derail efforts to support forces of moderation," the letter
reads. It also lists the IDF's incursion into Nablus last week, as well as
the archaeological excavation near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Husseini suggests that despite Israel's "violations" and its
refusal to participate in dialogue with the Palestinians, it enjoys close
relations and financial ties with the EU, as opposed to the Palestinian
Authority, which is under an international embargo. The letter calls to
"end this glaring injustice", and to adopt a "more balanced" approach by
the Council of Ministers and the international community.
Foreign
Minister Tzipi Livni was expected to visit Brussels in advance of the EU
meeting scheduled for Monday, in an attempt to convince the Europeans to
adhere to the embargo for as long as the Hamas government refuses to
renounce terror and recognize Israel as well as agreements signed with it.
Officials in Jerusalem are concerned about possible erosion in the
European Union regarding the embargo, as reflected in recent announcements
by several European governments of their intention to reevaluate their
stance following the Mecca agreement between Hamas and
Fatah.