EU prepares sanctions against Israel

BRUSSELS, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The European Union is considering economic sanctions against Israel if it continues to oppose a two-state solution with Palestine, confidential documents indicate.

The documents, cited by European diplomats Monday in Brussels and on the website of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, were released to the officials of the 28-member EU by the group's European External Actions Service. Haaretz said the documents outline scenarios for sanctions if Israel continues building settlements in the West Bank, an area regarded as territory of a proposed Palestinian state.

A Haaretz article Sunday, reprinted Monday in the U.S. publication Jewish Daily Forward, noted options under consideration by the EU are sanctions against European countries doing construction work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem areas. It noted the Dutch government recommended to several Dutch companies they do not involve themselves in infrastructure projects in those contested areas.

The documents suggest a reassessment of EU funding of joint projects with Israel, describing a "more for more, less for less policy," explained by Haaretz as an incentive in the form of greater European investments in joint projects with Israel, in response to progress in the peace process.

The documents also refer to issuing of statements by all 28 EU members "to openly support Israeli leaders taking hard decisions and help re-creating a positive dynamic, including in relations with the Palestinians."

The EU position, as explained in the documents, suggests a change in policy toward Israel and an acknowledgement that Israel's construction plans in the West Bank are not advancing the peace process. The new attitude signals the EU's view that the new settlements are endangering a two-state solution.