European Union

Facing jail, the unarmed activist who dared to take on Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - August 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Baroness Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, yesterday issued an unusually sharp rebuke to Israel over a military court's conviction of a Palestinian activist prominent in unarmed protests against the West Bank separation barrier. Lady Ashton said she was "deeply concerned" that Abdallah Abu Rahma was facing a possible jail sentence "to prevent him and other Palestinians from exercising their legitimate right to protest against the separation barriers in a non-violent manner".

Quartet dispute delays statement on direct talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gil Hoffman - August 18, 2010 - 12:00am

A statement by the Quartet that was expected to lead to long-awaited direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians has been delayed due to disputes between the United States and European Union, Israeli diplomatic sources revealed Tuesday. The Quartet, which is made up of the US, EU, UN, and Russia, was expected to bring Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the negotiating table by releasing a statement early this week about the basis for direct talks.

'Major powers' working on Mideast framework: EU
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 13, 2010 - 12:00am

"Major powers" are at work outlining the basis for direct peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton indicated, a Thursday night Reuters report said. In a letter seen by the British news wire in the wake of a new Palestinian proposal for direct talks, Ashton wrote that a statement would be issued early next week and talks could begin within the month.

Abbas 'very close' to direct talks with Israel: EU
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
August 13, 2010 - 12:00am

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is very close to agreeing to direct talks with Israel, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a letter to foreign ministers seen by AFP on Friday. Abbas "has requested a few more days for final consultations with Arab partners as well as with the Fatah and PLO executive bodies," Ashton wrote, and "should be in a position to give a definitive answer by Sunday or early next week."

US to consult with Quartet over Abbas request
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 12, 2010 - 12:00am

US State Department officials said Wednesday, peace efforts would "press forward in the coming days" despite the latest visit by Middle East envoy George Mitchell characterized as a failure by many media outlets. Mitchell, who left the region on Wednesday evening, met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders during his latest tour, and presented a formula for talks laid out by President Mahmoud Abbas to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which the latter rejected.

Robert Fisk: Israel has crept into the EU without anyone noticing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Robert Fisk - August 2, 2010 - 12:00am

The death of five Israeli servicemen in a helicopter crash in Romania this week raised scarcely a headline.

If Kosovo, why not Palestine?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by John V. Whitbeck - (Opinion) July 27, 2010 - 12:00am

By a 10-4 majority, the court ruled that, because “general international law contains no applicable prohibition of declarations of independence”, Kosovo’s declaration of independence in February 2008, coordinated with and supported by the American and most EU governments and subsequently recognized by 69 countries, “did not violate general international law.” The clear implication is that no declarations of independence violate international law and that all are, therefore, “legal”.

Ashton asked to send observers to Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 20, 2010 - 12:00am

Ramallah - Ma’an - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton held a second meeting Monday with officials in Jerusalem, where dignitaries stressed the centrality of the holy city in Palestinian life and culture. Ashton was in Palestine as part of her second Middle East trip.

EU envoy urges Israel to open Gaza borders
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
July 20, 2010 - 12:00am

Lady Ashton urged the international community to pressure Israel to end the blockade. She is the most senior Western official to go to Gaza since Israel partly eased curbs on goods entering the territory. Israel tightened its blockade in 2007 after the Islamist Hamas movement seized control of Gaza. Lady Ashton did not have any official meetings with Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza. Its authority is not recognised by the EU, Israel or the US, who describe it as a terrorist organisation.

EU, PA launch program to rebuild Gaza economy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 19, 2010 - 12:00am

The EU and the Palestinian Authority officially launched the Private Sector Reconstruction in Gaza program Sunday. The launch coincides with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s visit to the besieged Strip, where she saw two of the 203 companies to benefit from the scheme. In total the EU will contribute €22 million to the program initiated by the PA in the aftermath of Israel’s war on Gaza which began December 2008, a statement said. Together, the PA and EU will target businesses which were destroyed by the attack, providing machinery, building materials and office furniture.

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