2015-07-21 PALESTINE: European pressure to stop the demolition and transfer of Susya
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The small, impoverished Bedouin community of Susya, south of Hebron, built some shacks, given the prohibition on building by Palestinians, while nearby Jewish settlements are expanding. Israel announced that it was prepared to demolish and transfer this small community this week, after the Israeli Supreme Court found such conduct perfectly legal. The strong statement of the European Union creates a stand off. This test case should be closely watched as it unfolds. Strong pressure to stop the expansion of settlements, led to effective freeze on building in West Bank settlements over the past month. Additionally, the EU - major export destination of Israeli goods - is increasingly demanding strict labelling of all settlements product. Likewise, the EU demands that none of the funds from bilateral programs (e.g. research and development) be spent in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Combined, it appears that new circumstances have evolved in recent months, regardless of Netanyahu's promises to the contrary to his voters, just a couple of months ago... In view of US reflexive support of Netanyahu (regardless of the public show of family feud between Obama and Netanyahu), the EU is becoming a major moderating factor.
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The small, impoverished Bedouin community of Susya, south of Hebron, built some shacks, given the prohibition on building by Palestinians, while nearby Jewish settlements are expanding. Israel announced that it was prepared to demolish and transfer this small community this week, after the Israeli Supreme Court found such conduct perfectly legal. The strong statement of the European Union creates a stand off. This test case should be closely watched as it unfolds. Strong pressure to stop the expansion of settlements, led to effective freeze on building in West Bank settlements over the past month. Additionally, the EU - major export destination of Israeli goods - is increasingly demanding strict labelling of all settlements product. Likewise, the EU demands that none of the funds from bilateral programs (e.g. research and development) be spent in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Combined, it appears that new circumstances have evolved in recent months, regardless of Netanyahu's promises to the contrary to his voters, just a couple of months ago... In view of US reflexive support of Netanyahu (regardless of the public show of family feud between Obama and Netanyahu), the EU is becoming a major moderating factor.
The
EU joins Washington in its call to spare Sussia while criticizing
construction in the settlements and Israel’s role in the stalled peace
process.
haaretz.com|By Barak Ravid
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