Israel demands EU not to interfere in its internal affairs

JERUSALEM

Israel on Tuesday demanded the European Union not to interfere in its internal affairs after a top European official criticized Israeli policies against the Palestinians.

The demand was made during a phone call between Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Israel has seen mass protests in recent weeks over government plans to introduce judicial changes seen by the opposition as an attempt to reduce the powers of the judicial authority in favor of the executive authority.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Cohen asked Borrell to stop funding Palestinians and denounced recent EU comments on Israeli policies against the Palestinians.

"There is no place for comparisons and creating a balance between Israeli terror victims and Palestinian terrorists supported by the Palestinian Authority," Cohen said.

Last week, Borrell said in an article that Israeli settler violence was escalating against Palestinians and that Israeli military operations frequently caused death of Palestinian civilians.

“Violence on the part of Israeli settlers in the West Bank is increasingly threatening Palestinian lives and livelihoods – almost always with impunity,” Borrell said. “Moreover, Israeli military operations frequently cause civilian Palestinian deaths, often without effective accountability; illegal settlements are expanding on occupied land; and the delicate status quo concerning Holy Sites is eroding.”

According to Palestinian figures, more than 80 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the beginning of this year. Fourteen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

*Written by Ahmed Asmar