Confidential EU report about Israels annexation of East Jerusalem
{{date|November 28, 2005}}

A confidential report, prepared by top diplomats representing the 25 [[w:EU|EU]] governments, has been leaked to [[w:The Independent|The Independent]]. European Foreign Ministers put in a veto when publication of the report was planned. They will not risk its relationship with [[w:Israel|Israel]]. For the first time, Israel has given its blessing to the EU to play a key security role in the region. 

According to The Independent, the report provides the most detailed and remorselessly critical account yet produced by a Western international body of Israel's policy in [[w:East Jerusalem|East Jerusalem]]. The 11-page page document concludes that European governments should consider direct intervention in an attempt to curb the systematic measures being undertaken by Israel to increase its control and population in the historically - and legally - Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem. 

During discussions at last Monday's meeting, EU foreign ministers decided to express "deep concern" over Israel's activities in East Jerusalem and its surroundings, including establishing settlements, constructing the  [[w:Israeli West Bank barrier|West Bank barrier]] and demolishing homes. 

Israel's policies in Arab East Jerusalem are hurting the prospects of a final agreement on the city with the Palestinians. A major expansion of Ma'ale Adumim, the largest Israeli West Bank settlement, will be joined to Jerusalem and this threatens to complete the encircling of the city by Jewish settlements, dividing the [[w:West Bank|West Bank]] into two separate geographical areas.

In the 1967 [[w:Six-Day War|Six-Day War]] Israel seized East Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank and Gaza, and claims the city as its "united and eternal capital". Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state of their own.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article329199.ece
|title= Secret EU report launches scathing attack on Israel
|author=Donald Macintyre 
|pub=The Independent
|date=Nov 25, 2005}}
<!-- Hint: If you are citing BBC News, leave the author blank and put "BBC News" in the "pub" parameter. -->

*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-11-25T100021Z_01_RID533141_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-EU-REPORT.xml&archived=False
|title=EU report slams Israel's Jerusalem policy: newspapers
|author=Reuters)
|pub=Reuters)
|date=Nov 25, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/649043.html
|title=EU stays mum on East Jerusalem as ties with Israel improve
|author=Aluf Benn
|pub=Haasretz
|date=Nov 23, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4468818.stm
|title= Palestinians take over key border
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=Nov 25, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=10202
|title=EU report slams Israeli policies
|author=Al
|pub=Aljazeera
|date=Nov 25, 2005}}

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:European Union]]
[[Category:Jerusalem]]
[[Category:West Bank]]
A confidential report, prepared by top diplomats representing the 25 EU governments, has been leaked to The Independent. European Foreign Ministers put in a veto when publication of the report was planned. They will not risk its relationship with Israel. For the first time, Israel has given its blessing to the EU to play a key security role in the region. 

According to The Independent, the report provides the most detailed and remorselessly critical account yet produced by a Western international body of Israel's policy in East Jerusalem. The 11-page page document concludes that European governments should consider direct intervention in an attempt to curb the systematic measures being undertaken by Israel to increase its control and population in the historically - and legally - Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem. 

During discussions at last Monday's meeting, EU foreign ministers decided to express "deep concern" over Israel's activities in East Jerusalem and its surroundings, including establishing settlements, constructing the  West Bank barrier and demolishing homes. 

Israel's policies in Arab East Jerusalem are hurting the prospects of a final agreement on the city with the Palestinians. A major expansion of Ma'ale Adumim, the largest Israeli West Bank settlement, will be joined to Jerusalem and this threatens to complete the encircling of the city by Jewish settlements, dividing the West Bank into two separate geographical areas.

In the 1967 Six-Day War Israel seized East Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank and Gaza, and claims the city as its "united and eternal capital". Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state of their own.

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Europe Israel Politics and conflicts Middle East European Union Jerusalem West Bank