European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Thursday that plans to upgrade the EU's ties with Israel are on hold.
“We believe that good and trustful relations with Israel are essential in order to make our voice heard... We do not believe however that indeed the time is right to go beyond the current level of relations,” Ferrero-Waldner said at a Brussels news conference.
Israel and the EU agreed last year to boost ties, including cooperation on scientific and educational initiatives. The planned upgrade was frozen early in 2009 during the Cast Lead counterterrorism operation in Gaza that followed rocket attacks on major Israeli cities.
Ferrero-Waldner linked the planned upgrade in ties to Israel's diplomatic policy. “We expect indeed a clear commitment from the new government to pursue the negotiations with the Palestinians,” she said. “We expect a stop of all activities undermining our objective of a two-state solution.”
Among the activities which Israel must halt is construction in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The EU wants a complete housing freeze in the area.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni sent a letter to leaders in the Czech Republic, the current EU president, protesting the EU's decision. Livni, until recently Israel's Foreign Minister, said linking the boosted Israel-EU ties with Israel-PA talks would ignore the benefits to both Israel and the EU of increased cooperation.
Livni mentioned her own commitment to the creation of a PA-led Arab state in Judea and Samaria, and said most Israeli citizens share her desire to see a “two-state solution.” However, it is strengthening Israel-EU ties, and not weakening them, that will improve the chances for Middle East peace, she said.