Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a swift response to hostile terminology used by the High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell during the rejection of the United States Peace Plan to resolve the decades-old Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Soon after concluding his first official trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the E.U. Foreign Policy Chief argued that the so-called “Deal of the Century” unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump on 28 January ‘departs from internationally-agreed parameters’ adopted by the European Council in 2014.
Borrell stressed the E.U.’s commitment remains unchanged, endorsing “a negotiated two-State solution, based on 1967 lines, with equivalent land swaps, as may be agreed between the parties, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition.”
The top EU diplomat further highlighted that Brussels is “especially concerned by (Israeli) statements on the prospect of annexation of the Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank.” In an unprecedented move, Borrell then stressed that “Steps towards annexation, if implemented, could not pass unchallenged.”
According to a written statement from Israeli Foreign Minister Spokeman Lior Haiat, “The fact that the EU’s foreign policy chief chose to use such threatening language towards Israel shortly after taking up office and just hours after his round of meetings in Iran, is unfortunate, and – to say the least – odd.”
Haiat further stressed that “Pursuing such policies and conduct is the best way to ensure that the E.U.’s role in any peace process will be minimized.”