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Pressure must be mounting to continue peace talks towards a framework agreement. The pens are dipped in poison. PM Netanyahu and President Abbas are needed to make painful decisions but defend their positions due to internal political differences. Secretary Kerry decided to leave the region today after an intense four-day diplomacy.
Israel accuses Kerry of urging EU settlement pressure
(Times of Israel) – Israeli diplomatic sources say US Secretary of State John Kerry is behind the recent wave of European threats to boycott settlement products, and intends to use these threats against Israel should the current series of peace talks fail, it was reported on Tuesday.
Kerry, according to sources cited in an Army Radio report, has encouraged various European countries behind the scenes in their efforts to initiate bans on the import of products originating in the West Bank settlements, but has taken pains to ensure that such actions remain “a threat” only.
The idea of boycotting or labeling settlement products gained momentum in Europe over the last year.
In December, a Dutch water company backed out of a major deal due to Israel’s national water carrier’s activities in the West Bank.
In November, a deal was signed to enable Israel’s participation in the Horizons 2020 joint research program, despite an EU decree, that banned West Bank Israeli institutions from receiving European funding.
In July, a major Dutch supermarket reportedly decided to stop carrying products from the settlements, but later said its policy had been quoted inaccurately.
Europe has long opposed much of Israel’s policy in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and in March EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was the latest to call for implementing the labeling of products produced in the settlements for sale in Europe.
Foreign ministry summons Dutch ambassador over ‘pro-boycott atmosphere’ in Holland
- ○ Ya’alon says Israel, PA working to extend talks beyond 9-month period
○ Moshe ‘Bogie’ Yaalon Takes it to the Delegitimizers! POW!
Earlier posts about Kerry’s shuttle diplomacy in my diary – McCain In Jerusalem to Voice Opposition Kerry’s Peace Push.
