Saturday Jun 21, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News

France pushing for tough EU response to any Israeli annexation move

Britain also says it would not support Israeli annexation of settlements in Judea and Samaria, arguing it would make a two-state solution with the Palestinians more difficult to achieve.

by  Reuters and ILH Staff
Published on  05-12-2020 10:33
Last modified: 05-12-2020 10:35
Urging Iran against destabilizing Syria, France backs Israeli securityEPA / Thomas Samson

French President Emmanuel Macron gives a press conference in Baie Orientale, 30 September 2018 | Photo: EPA / Thomas Samson

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

France is urging its European Union partners to consider threatening Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria, three EU diplomats said.

Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg also want to discuss the possibility of punitive economic measures during a foreign ministers' meeting on Friday, the diplomats told Reuters, though all member states would have to agree to any collective action.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Britain also said it would not support an Israeli annexation, arguing it would make a two-state solution with the Palestinians more difficult to achieve, junior Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said on Monday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said it is up to Israel whether to annex parts of Judea and Samaria.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said cabinet discussions will start in July about extending Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley, under the auspices of US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan.

The EU diplomats did not give details on what punitive measures EU member states might consider to try to dissuade Israel from making the move.

In terms of procedure, EU governments would need to ask the Commission and the EU foreign policy division, the EEAS, to draw up a list of options.

All 27 EU nations would need to agree to any EU response and Israel's closest allies, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, could still block even preparatory work.

An EU spokesman on Monday declined to comment on internal discussions but said: "Annexation is contrary to international law and if annexation goes ahead, the EU will act accordingly."

Israel has long been a part of the EU's research and innovation program, Horizon 2020, which was worth nearly 80 billion euros between 2014 and 2020, according to the European Commission.

The EU is also Israel's top trading partner and Israel benefits from trade preferences with the world's largest trading bloc.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in February that Trump's plan departed from "internationally agreed parameters." Borrell said that steps to annex Palestinian territory, "if implemented, could not pass unchallenged."

That is a view taken by France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Ireland, according to EU diplomats.

"There is clearly a need to look at what annexation means in the context of international law and we do need to know our options," said one senior EU diplomat involved in discussions.

"We also need to say what exactly the consequences of annexation would be, ideally as a way to stop any such move," the diplomat said.

Tags: EUFranceIsrael

Related Posts

Several wounded after large from Iran

Several wounded after large from Iran

by ILH Staff

Some 20–30 missiles from Iran target Israel. Teen, man in his 40s sustain severe injuries. Man in 50s moderately wounded.

Senior nuclear scientist killed in targeted Tehran strikeSocial media

Senior nuclear scientist killed in targeted Tehran strike

by ILH Staff

Meanwhile, Israeli jets target nuclear sites, missile component factories, and missile engine plants, notably the Organization of Defensive Innovation and...

Sources: Next 48 hours critical; US could get involvedSaul LOEB / AFP; REUTERS/Leah Millis ; WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS;

Trump's delay actually helps Israel

by Shirit Avitan Cohen

The time is being used to complete operational preparations – both for an attack and for possible escalation scenarios if...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il