EJP

EU statement against Trump peace plan blocked by several countries

An European Union flag is displayed with European countries' flags at the European Council in Brussels ahead of the European parliamentary elections in Brussels on May 13, 2019 - The European elections will be held on May 23-26, 2019 in all 28 member states. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP)

E.U. foreign policy chief issued his own statement after six E.U. member states, including Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic, opposed a resolution condemning the U.S. peace deal.

At least six European member states on Tuesday opposed a push by E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for a joint resolution by the 27 members states of the E.U. Foreign Affairs Council criticizing the Trump peace plan and warning Israel against annexing parts of the West Bank.

Italy, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and at least two other unnamed nations opposed the resolution following intense lobbying efforts by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, according to Israeli media reports. Israel reportedly argued that the proposed resolution was one-sided and encouraged the Palestinians to avoid negotiations.

Apparently outraged by the failure, Borrell issued his own independent statement on Tuesday, warning that the European Union is committed to a two-state solution featuring “an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable state of Palestine,” and that the US deal “departs from these internationally agreed parameters.”

“Steps towards annexation, if implemented, could not pass unchallenged,” he added.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat took to Twitter to criticize the E.U. foreign policy chief’s “threatening language towards Israel.”

“The fact that the High Rep of the EU, Josep Borrel [sic], chose to use threatening language towards Israel, so shortly after he assumed office & only hours after his meetings in Iran, is regrettable &, to say the least, odd,” said Haiat. “Pursuing such policies & conduct is the best way to ensure that the EU’s role in any process will be minimized.”

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