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Comments (0)The European Union’s new foreign policy chief criticized Israel in her first speech.
Catherine Ashton, who earlier this month replaced Javier Solana as high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, on Tuesday condemned Israel’s “occupation,” demanded that Israel lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip and blasted the security fence.
“East Jerusalem is occupied territory together with the West Bank,” Ashton said, according to the EUObserver. “The EU is opposed to the destruction of homes, the eviction of Arab residents and the construction of the separation barrier.”
In her address to EU representatives in Strasbourg, she also belittled Israel’s construction freeze in West Bank settlements, calling it a “first step,” despite the fact that EU foreign ministers last week took “positive note” of the freeze.
Ashton also took a shot at Tony Blair, special envoy to the Middle East for the Quartet made up of the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia, saying that “The Quartet must demonstrate that it is worth the money, that it is capable of being reinvigorated. I have talked about this with both sides in Jerusalem, to Mr. Blair and the [U.S.] secretary of state.”
During her address, Ashton announced plans to visit the Middle East in late January or early February.
Following the address, some left-wing and liberal members of the European Union called for taking measures against Israel, including a suspension of the EU’s Association Agreement to trade penalties against products made in West Bank settlements.
Israeli Lawmakers Threaten British Boycott
Israeli lawmakers are threatening to boycott British products in retaliation for special labeling of products from the West Bank.
One-third of Israel’s 120 lawmakers have signed a petition that will be delivered to Britain’s Parliament, according to reports.
The petition drive is being led by the Kadima Party’s Ronit Tirosh, who said she would draft a bill requiring British products to be labeled. Tirosh also called for a boycott of British airlines.
Earlier this month the British government issued an advisory allowing retailers to label products originating from the West Bank as being produced in Israeli settlements or by Palestinians.
Moroccan King Donates Fountain to Toronto Jews
A Sephardic Jewish center in Toronto unveiled a water fountain donated by the King of Morocco.
Some 200 people gathered at the Sephardic Kehila Centre for a ceremony in which the ambassador of Morocco presented the community with the fountain, the Canadian Jewish News reported Dec. 17.
The arabesque fountain commissioned by King Mohammed VI features a colorful mosaic pattern.
“This is a very special gift, a gift that is a testament to the strong cultural ties between the Toronto Moroccan Jewish community and the land of our heritage,” Maurice Benzacar, the event’s emcee, was quoted as saying by the Canadian Jewish News.
British Court Jails Albanian on Terrorist Charges
A British court jailed an Albanian Muslim for seven years after weapons and Hezbollah manuals were found in his home.
Krena Lusha, 30, from Derby in southeastern England, was sentenced Dec. 15 after being convicted on terrorist charges, the Jewish Chronicle reported.
Police found gasoline, Hezbollah bomb-building manuals, a suicide bomb belt, a missile, explosives and detonators in his home, the newspaper reported.
They found videos of beheadings and bomb attacks on his computer, as well as jihadist propaganda. Lusha told an Internet chat forum that he wanted to see Americans and Jews killed.
Lusha slipped into Britain illegally in 2000; he will be deported to Albania after serving his sentence.