About: Israel
How a gas pipeline to Europe is transforming the Turkish-Israeli relationship
The discovery of massive natural gas fields off Israel’s northern coast more than a decade ago and subsequent attempts to export this gas to Europe have highlighted the true fault lines in the Turkish-Israeli alliance, writes Joseph Dana.
Row threatens to delay end to energy isolation of Crete, Cyprus
A long-awaited EU project that could put an end to the energy isolation of Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete is under threat due to a dispute between the parties involved. But the European Commission does not want to “point fingers” at anybody.
The ‘Orthodox Four’ aim at hosting FIFA world cup in 2030
Bulgaria will take part in a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced on Friday (2 November), together with Serbia, Greece and Romania, a format dubbed by diplomats and journalists “the Orthodox Four”.
Hungary takes fight against NGOs to EU level
At a Luxembourg meeting of EU foreign ministers on Tuesday (15 October), Hungary called on the EU to stop funding for NGOs that undermine the sovereignty of neighbouring countries such as Israel and Egypt or states that contribute to illegal migration.
US withdraws from two international accords, says UN world court ‘politicised’
The Trump administration on Wednesday (3 October) pulled out of two international agreements after Iran and the Palestinians complained to the International Court of Justice about US policies, the latest withdrawal by Washington from multilateral accords.
EU, Kuwait, Norway foot the Palestinian refugee agency bill
The Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA on Thursday (27 September) received pledges of $118 million (€101 million) from donor countries to help it overcome a crisis triggered by US funding cuts.
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).