EU chief cancels Israel trip after Netanyahu snub
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has cancelled her planned trip to Israel after an apparent snub from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
She was to have taken part in a conference organised by an American Jewish organisation, and it was to come after an official visit to Jordan.
However, the Israeli leader’s office told the country’s media that Mr Netanyahu was unable to meet her because of prior commitments.
But an Israeli source told the country’s Haaretz newspaper that “her positions are very hostile” towards Israel.
The European diplomat has long criticised Israel for its use of lethal force in Gaza and its treatment of the Palestinians.
Her office released a statement claiming “agenda reasons” were behind the cancelled trip.
“We had looked into the possibility of expanding this visit to Jerusalem, where she was invited to speak at the American Jewish Committee. For agenda reasons, it turned out that this was not possible,” the statement said.
“We believe that it is important to talk, because there are many important issues in the region to discuss, including Iran. She is looking forward to returning to the region in the near future,” Ms Mogherini’s office said.
On Friday, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians and wounded hundreds more with live fire and tear gas against protesters in Gaza who have amassed for weekly rallies to oppose conditions in the enclave.
Those deaths bring the number of Palestinians killed at the Gaza border to 124 since demonstrations there began on March 30, including 60 people killed in a single day last month. Protesters have vowed to continue holding the rallies despite the threat of lethal force.
Israel’s deadly tactics against the protests have drawn international condemnation, including from Ms Mogherini.
The bloodiest day of the protests occurred last month as the United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem after recognising the city as the Israeli capital. Palestinians also want the capital of a state there, and most countries say the city’s status should be resolved in future peace talks.
In December, after US President Donald Trump’s Jerusalem announcement, Ms Mogherini said there was “full EU unity” in support of Jerusalem becoming the capital of the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The European Union has long said that the final status of the city that hosts some of the holiest sites in Islam and Judaism should be agreed on by both parties.
Speaking about Mr Netanyahu’s opinion that other states would follow Mr Trump’s controversial decision on Jerusalem, Ms Mogherini said “he can keep his expectations for others – because from the EU member states’ side this move will not come”.
The EU also regularly criticises Israel for its settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, outposts that most of the international community consider illegal under international law.
It also objected to any of its member states’ ambassadors attending the US embassy opening on May 14.