BRUSSELS, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The European Union shifted its position Monday as it struck out at the Palestinian organizations Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Monday, using the term "terrorist" for the first time to describe the extremists responsible for attacks on Israel.
Although the EU reiterated calls for an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and Israel's "extra-judicial executions," the statement from the foreign ministers of 15 countries called the groups who have waged suicide attacks in Israel as terrorist for their attacks.
Officials, however, described the meeting of EU ministers as "pretty tough on Israel."
One senior source, declining to be named said, "European governments are putting a lot of pressure on both sides."
The Palestinian Authority appeared to be heeding threats of a shifting EU stance as Palestine Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath describing recent comments by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell as "balanced and fair."
But he said at a news conference that the European Union needed to do more to promote peace in the Middle East by restraining Israel.
Also visiting Brussels and -- presumed to be meeting Shaath -- was Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres.
Peres told a news conference that Yasser Arafat could rein in the terrorists -- but he denied suggestions that Israel is out to topple the Palestine leader.
While there was little overt public criticism of Israel, once more British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw took the lead in urging Palestinian authorities to step up efforts to curb terrorism and ease the tension in what he called a "very delicate" situation.
Straw commented after the meeting with Peres, "The situation remains very delicate -- and it does require Palestinian authorities to make further efforts to reign in Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
The EU demanded that the Palestinian Authority dismantle both groups and round up all suspects in the latest attacks on Israeli targets.
The declaration followed EU talks, which included separate meetings with Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres and the Palestinian foreign minister.
The violence continued in the Middle East as the talks went on, and gloom spread in Brussels Monday with atrocities spiraling out of control.
With frustration, the EU ministers urged restraint, and expressed the view that only "concerted and determined" action involving the EU, the United States, the United Nations and Russia "can help the parties break the cycle of violence and resume the search for peace."
