European Union foreign ministers are upset over Israel’s banning their entry to Gaza hours before Yom Kippur, and they have declined alternative dates. The 25 hour fast, the holiest day in the Jewish year, begins shortly before sundown Friday.
"The whole country is paralyzed and the airport is closed," a spokesman in the Israeli Foreign Ministry explained to the London Telegraph. "We told them that it was impossible to hold meetings on Friday morning and that no one would be available. We suggested alternative dates, all of which they refused.”
Israel charged the five EU ministers with being ”insensitive.” The planned visit by officials from Spain, France, Britain, Germany and Italy was intended to deal with diplomatic developments in the Middle East, and aid to Gaza.
Direct talks between both sides resumed in Washington last week, but EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton declined an invitation to attend.
"This effort was made by the Americans completely by themselves," one Israeli official told the Telegraph. "The Americans set up the whole thing, while the Europeans stood on the sidelines criticizing it all. When things fall into place, then they demand a role. It is not very convincing."