Calling On Eu To \"Back Off\"

Fifty-two Knesset Members have signed a petition calling on the European Union to cease its monetary intervention in Israel\'s internal affairs. The letter follows revelations that the EU contributed great sums to left-wing organizations in Israel in an attempt to influence public opinion here. The petition also demands that the EU publicize all the bodies to which it has given money over the years. The letter, addressed to EU Rotating President Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, states that the European Union \"should refrain from any attempt to influence the internal democratic process of another democratic state.\" The MKs, who include eight government ministers and nine deputy ministers, expressed their \"shock and outrage at this attempt at achieving political purposes.\"