About: Israel
Trump administration takes aim at International Criminal Court, PLO
The Trump administration on Monday (10 September) threatened tough action against the International Criminal Court should it try to prosecute Americans for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and said the PLO's office in Washington would be closed for seeking to punish Israel through the court.
EU ‘regrets’ US decision to end funding for Palestinian refugee agency
Palestinians reacted angrily Saturday (1 September) to a US decision to end all funding for the UN agency that assists three million needy refugees, seeing it as a new policy shift aimed at undermining their cause.
Commission half-heartedly condemns divisive Jewish nation-state law
The European Commission has expressed concern, but no clear condemnation, of a controversial “nation-state” law passed by the Parliament of Israel. The law states that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country and strips Arabic of the status of an official language.
Orban in Jerusalem: Challenging days for Europe-Israel relations
Endorsing Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban symbolizes a moral failure for modern-day Zionism. Straying from the high moral standards upon which Israel was established could become a real threat to the existence and well-being of Israel as we know it, and of world Jewry, writes Raanan Eliaz.
Austrian Chancellor: Europe needs to understand Israel’s security needs
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz gave prominence to interesting issues during his recent visit to Jerusalem and emphasised the security needs of the Israelis. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Macron warns of risk of ‘conflict’ over Iran nuclear deal
French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of "conflict" in the standoff with Iran after Tehran announced plans to boost its uranium enrichment capacity as Europe scrambles to save a beleaguered nuclear deal.
Mogherini urges ‘utmost restraint’ after Gaza deaths
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday (14 May) urged "utmost restraint" after at least 37 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during protests against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
Trump slaps Europe in the face with Iran deal pull-out
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw from the landmark deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany who signed the agreement published a joint statement, saying they will continue to stick by it.
EU asks whether Israel used ‘proportionate’ force in Gaza
The EU raised questions Saturday (7 April) about whether Israeli troops engaged in "proportionate use of force" in the latest border clashes that left nine Palestinians dead in the Gaza Strip.
EU calls on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinian children
Alarmed by the conditions of Palestinian children in the Israeli military judicial system, the EU has called on Israel, through its representatives in Jerusalem and Ramallah, to respect the children's rights. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Spanish MEP: Time, status quo working against two-state solution
Elena Valenciano Spanish MEP, who headed a socialist delegation on a five-day fact-finding mission to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories this week, spoke to EFE in Jerusalem on Wednesday (28 March).
Europe must prepare to stand up to Trump on Israeli-Palestinian ‘peace’ plan
Europe should redouble its commitment to critical EU policies grounded in its commitment to international law and a negotiated two-state solution, writes Lara Friedman.
Abbas calls for new UN Mideast peace talks format
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas yesterday (20 February) called for an international conference to be held later this year to launch a new, wider Middle East peace process and pave the way to Palestinian statehood.
Merkel ready for ‘painful compromises’ with coalition deal in sight
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday (6 February) she was ready to make "painful compromises" as negotiators from her conservative bloc and the Social Democrats (SPD) rushed to clinch a coalition government deal after months of political uncertainty.
Polish lawmakers back Holocaust bill, drawing Israeli outrage, US concern
Polish lawmakers approved a bill yesterday (1 February) that would impose jail terms for suggesting Poland was complicit in the Holocaust, drawing concern from the United States and outrage from Israel, which denounced "any attempt to challenge historical truth".
EU rebuffs Netanyahu’s Jerusalem call
The EU's diplomatic chief on Monday (11 December) bluntly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that Europe would follow the US in recognising Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital, saying there would be no change to its stance on the holy city.
Erdogan and Macron take lead in urging US to turn back on Jerusalem decision
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and France's Emmanuel Macron will work together to try to persuade the United States to reconsider its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a Turkish presidential source said on Saturday (9 December).
EU seriously concerned about Trump’s Jerusalem decision
The European Union expressed serious concern on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying it could have repercussions for peace prospects.
Italy-Israel gas pipeline moves a step closer to reality
Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Italy on Tuesday (5 December) signed a memorandum of understanding to build the world's longest underwater natural gas pipeline to supply Europe.
Cyprus set to come in from the cold and end energy isolation
Cyprus is due to end its energy isolation after it agreed with fellow EU member Greece to press on with an undersea electricity cable, which will also link the island to Israel in the hope of tapping into significant gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.
Hamas, Fatah sign deal on Palestinian reconciliation
Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement on Thursday (12 October) on ending a decade-long split following talks mediated by Egypt in Cairo, with president Mahmud Abbas calling it a "final" accord.
US, Israel leave UNESCO for good
The United States and its ally Israel said yesterday (12 October) they were pulling out of the UN's culture and education body in a move that underlined Washington's drift away from international institutions.
Unity of Palestinian groups: What the EU should do
The EU can play an effective role to achieve the main objective which is the two-state solution. Initially, it should recognise Palestine based on the 1967 borders and condition it with disarming Hamas, writes Hamid Bahrami.