The NJA is deeply concerned by reports of a leaked document in which the European Commission in Eastern Jerusalem calls for European Union (EU) support of a take-over by the Palestinian Authority of land in the Israeli-controlled Area C in Judea and Samaria.
The current legal status of the disputed territories in Judea and Samaria clearly begs repeating for the benefit of the European Commission in Eastern Jerusalem and the EU. Under the Oslo Accords, Judea and Samaria was divided into three ‘Areas’ with a clear distribution of power between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, itself a product of the Oslo Accords. Area A is under the administrative and security control of the PA. Area B is under PA administrative control and security is shared by both Israel and the PA. Area C is under Israeli administrative and security control.
This leaked document corroborates what Israeli organisations have been claiming for many years now, that the European Union is acting shamelessly and maliciously to facilitate the PA’s strategic annexation of large swathes of Area C. Such underhanded acts are, at best unhelpful in resolving the conflict, and at worst, blatantly hostile to Israel and contrary to international law and incompatible with the basic rules of diplomatic relations between states.
The NJA hopes that Israel’s leaders will act decisively against the EU’s malicious subterfuge so that the EU desists from its illegal construction activity in Area C and adopts a more honest and responsible role in fostering peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Heath Sloane
Press & Marketing Manager
National Jewish Assembly
