EU hints Israel must renew peace talks if it wants closer ties

You Jews claim you invented everything, and its all lies. In addition to voice mail, and pentium chip, Jews have claimed invention of mobile phone, cell phone, the PC and microprocessor. Voice mail invented by Scott Jones owner of Boston Technology Inc. for Bell Atlantic in 1986. Vinod Dham of Intel Corp.introduced first pentium chip.First mobile phone system developed by Ericsson in 1956. Hand held cell phone invented by Motorola in 1973. First PC invented in 1976 in Calif and made possible by integrated circuit and microprocessor invented by Intel Corp. Stop the incessant propaganda, it is boring, and boorish and one more reminder that, at least for the US, relations with Israel are too one-sided, and of little or no benefit to the US. A burden we should dump.

game over israel make peace or be isolated by the ones who helped you all years occupation has to end

This is a good example of New Labour Speak.They claim to be Israel's friend whilst kicking Israel in the teeth. Israel has been offering the PA talks as long as I can remember but the PA has adamantly refused them until all its preconditions are met.This isn't an attempt to force Israel to accept talks with the PA,it's an attempt to force Israel to accept all the PA's preconditions.So much for EU impartiality. Instead of threatening Israel with trade sanctions unless Israel agrees to talks,which it already has done,Ashton should threaten to cut off EU aid to the PA unless it agrees to talks without preconditions. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

Let us keep a close eye on this in the ground of his hart decent sentimental Brit who can turn in an old mean English bloodhound from time to time.

e: "where is the official palestinian proposal with their conditions for peace with israel ?" Here: http://www.jordanembassyus.org/arab_initiative.htm Now, where is the Israeli Peace Initiative to be found? Peres has said for at least the last five years that Israel has been working on an "official" counter-proposal to the Arab Peace Initiative (which itself dates from 2002), so where is it? Peres can't find a pen? Or is he simply too old to learn how to type? Or maybe he can't work out how to turn on his computer?

Is the Israel deserves to be punished!

OK, is there an official Israeli peace proposal? My understanding was that if either side makes a proposal that includes some things they offer along with some things they demand, then the other side will accept all the offers as something they will definitely receive in any agreement, and all the demands as things that need to be negotiated. Note for example that at some point a Palestinian negotiator drew a red line on a map showing parts of Palestine he was willing to trade for barren parts of Israel, versus parts he would not give up. And now we see Israelis saying that parts he once said were negotiable are places that will definitely be part of Israel in any agreement. Under the circumstances I can't imagine either side making a proposal. But the Arab League has made a definite proposal that covers not only Palestine but improved relations with every member of the Arab League.

Actually, Greece, Spain and Portugal cannot really hurt EU economy as long countries like England, France, Italy and of course big Germany do not fall into the debt trap (Holland is number 5 by the way in Europe). But hey, look at Obama and the US. Read some figures and you're laugh about European debt. The only one's who do have the big bag of money are the Chinese. But it is weird money in the form of bonds: if they cash it, their customers go broke and thus they as well after that. Is that smart? Europe, so many times written off, still making the finest cars, planes, design, technology, food, medicine, you name it, and risen to be the biggest market in the world.

The headline to the article suggests that getting back to talks is enough for Israel's relations with Europe to be upgraded. However Ashton's quote says "the solution lies in a negotiated settlement". No-one any longer will be fooled by talks for talks sake. The US says it is willing to apportion blame for their failure. You can be sure that the EU will as well. Some Israelis may not want Europe as part of the quartet, or to have influence. They probably do wish to trade with their main trading partnetr though. Can't have it both ways.

You do not want Israel to have closer ties with EU but you do want Ahton to agree to Bibi that at full peace Israel will become a EU-member? You want that? Or do you consider that to be a smart insult from Bibi? Just wondering, wondering...

Israel has nothing to fear but the entire world. That Israel doesn't need any stinking world. Especially if the world expects Israel to act like a decent nation, which is exactly what Netanyahu doesn't want Israel to do.

"Obama is there for another 3 years MINIMUM..." No, he's only there until somebody kills him. Will the assassin be a Palestinian? An Iranian? Perhaps another Syrian? A Saudi? Who can guess which of Israel's enemies will be the one to kill Obama? Maybe if Obama is killed then President Biden will see that the USA desperately needs Israel's cooperation to stop arab terrorism and desperately needs to bomb Iran.

You know very well that the Netanyahu crowd has done everything possible to prove to the PA that talks would be fruitless and that no settlement would ever be possible. And just as proximity talks were about to start, Netanyahu's bunch found a new way to throw a wrench into the works. The EU is saying, find a way to have meaningful talks and progress in serious good faith. That may bring down the anti-peace coalition. But apparently that is their price of admission. FIND A WAY.

Talk about a frog in a little pond. The EU can do without Israel; can Israel get along without the EU and its trade? Israel is in no position to make demands.

Instead of changing the subject, why not address the subject discussed (Israeli actions)?

"When are you planning to ditch your computer and your cell phone, developed in Israel?" I don't see neither computers nor cell phones manufactured in Israel. What brand is yours, Nokia or Motorola?

....if things "go South" in Switzerland, we will make it like Israel, and turn to Asia, we will then see, who of us 2 will have better luck there...:)

then you will understand. unless you can show me where Israel is offering something more than that offered in the Likud charter---which is zilch. Ok

Look, I absolutely understand, that you and your right-wing buddies (like Lynn, Gina etc.) overseas, are probably not feeling too good on a day like today, but don't worry, you will get over it somehow...:) By the way, I remember, that just a bit more than a year ago, it was YOU, who got accused of anti-Semitism by several posters here, after a rant of yours against American-Israelis, who planned to vote for the Republicans in the November elections. Strangely, that was exactly the time, when you changed all of a sudden from a pretty reasonable poster to a supporter of the most rabid right-wingers on this forum (yes, occasionally you are still writing some "moderate" posts, but the vast majority of posters did not fail to notice your 180° turn!). Was the timing of your sudden political change really pure coincidence, or did you feel a little bit scared by the accusations raised against you...???

Google "Arab Peace Initiative". Beyond that, Israel needs to sit down and bargain in good faith. Full peace, political recognition and commerce, if Israel would just stop subjugating the native population and stealing their land. Not such a big think for peace and goodwill with 1/5 of the entire planet Earth in one move.

It's the PA that keeps on stalling on talks,not Israel,yet Ashton wants to pressure Israel!What Ashton wants is for Israel to agree to all the PA's preconditions for talks so that the PA will come to the table.This is a good example of New Labour speak,pretending to be Israel's friend while kicking Israel in the teeth. Instead of threatening Israel with trade sanctions if Israel doesn't do what it's already agreed to do,Aston should threaten to cut off aid to the PA unless THEY agree to talks which THEY adamantly refuse to do. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

you wrote: "The Palestinians have publically recognized israel on more than one occasion.If you need the details just google,it is quite simple to find." i would like to know: where is the official palestinian proposal with their conditions for peace with israel ?

The substance. At this point, somebody should tell the ADL to crawl under a stone.

The Palestinians have publically recognized israel on more than one occasion.If you need the details just google,it is quite simple to find.

Instead of taking the recommendation of the EU to engage in realistic negotiations, the majority of posters here offer messages of defiance and intransigence. Do you all really believe that Israel can carry on to exist in the long-term without a two-state solution? You all know what the alternative will be - a one-state solution that will cause Israel to cease to exist as a Jewish state by virtue of the demographics.

a history of failure. name one interference which worked out well?

True enough. Thousands of bank account holders have been compromised through third parties that have in fact stolen said information and sold them to certain EU governments. Switzerland, has become just another small European country, although its xenophobic instincts remain. As we speak, billions of dollars leave Switzerland for other safe havens. What the EU has done to Switzerland, can well be construed to a case of Economic Blackmail. I wonder what those in Brussels have up their sleeves with Admiral Ashton at the helm, in this instance, the future of Israel and its position vis a vis the EU. However, we all know, that most laptops and many other appliances use Israeli technology. Interesting times, most certainly that the lady in question had deep discussions with her Turkish counterpart. I was in London recently. Reminded me of Lahore. Just the buildings were different. The language..? well it was the same..! Good night.

The Israeli right-wing extremists want to jeopardise everything: Israel's relationship with the US and Biden, the talks with the Palestinian Authority.... they are a self-righteous group which will stop at literally nothing in an attempt to get their way. What they do not realise is that their behaviour in itself will prevent them from attaining what they want.

Mosheh - Israel is abusing the palestinians because it can and have the power to do it. It is about time that the countries that supportrd Israel to the tune of hundre of billions start talking about puting meaningfull pressure. It is hypocritical to say the least, would you have asked the US to leave germany and europe alone to figure its own problem?

The Reuters news agency is lowering its standards to a point they cannot even spell names anymore.The name of this lovely E.U. diplomat is catherine ASHTIN...

Jackie - Stop padding yourself on the back. As great of an achievment the Israeli hightech industries have made, it is still very small and insignificant portion of the world economy and heavily subsidized by American tax payers. A boycott will definitely convince Israel to negotiate with the Palestinians in good faith.

...geographically, legally or mentally therefore why the hell should they be preferred over other countries.

Israel is already developing closer ties with NATO in policing the Medetarenian and intelligence sharing. The EU doesn't even have the authority to promise NATO membership to Israel or anybody else because its no an EU run organization. As for joining the EU thats the last thing that Israel wants and its the last the thing EU want even if some EU politicians for diplomacies sake sometimes say they want Israel to become a member. The EU is a christian based but secular organization and they don't want countries where religion plays such a large role in its running which is of the country which is one of the reasons they don't want Turkey. As an EU member Israel would be obligated to give up things like the Law of Return giving all jews have the right to immigrate to Israel. There would probably be all kinds of other laws which prohibit Israel from being a jewish state they would want another binational secular state. Israel wants economic ties with the EU but not full membership.

you say a "2-state-solution" would mean peace. where please can i read, that the "palestinians" say so ? where did you read that ? where can i find the official "palestinian" proposal for their 2-state-solution, with its borders, and plans for relocation etc ?

at the cost of East Jerusalem. Palestinians will never rule East Jerusalem and no amount of intimidation or threat will accomplish this. No peace that includes Palestinians controlling any part of Israel is remotely possible. This is false hope and illusion. It will lead to all out war and devastation for the Palestinians. Palestinians, if they are even capable of governing themselves, will have to do so outside of Israel. Every Jew should swear a blood oath on this. Jerusalem will be a heave or burdensome stone that will break the nations. Thus it was written in ages past and thus it will be.

So the Europeans want the Israelis to renew peace talks with the Palestinians (or Arabs because that is what they are). Israel should have never given up Gaza, and they should drive the Arabs out of the West Bank and Jerusalem. The land belongs to the Jews- no one else. And there will never be peace in that region or for that matter anywhere in this world until the Prince of Peace returns (and believe you me He is going to return- hopefully soon). If people would read the Word of God that would know that pursuing peace is never going to be successful and that the Jewish people should be supported and not forced to give up their land (which God gave them) to the Arabs. The Arabs have plenty of room in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Syria,Iraq, Turkey, and Iran- let these so-called Palestinians go and live there.

You'd wish... But is Israel really willing to help Mighty China's growing power? After all, Hamas gets help from Iran and Iran gets help from China. Should we say that Israel would be financing terror in such circumstances? Or this is just business as usual? Dream on, your reply showed how Israel is now cornered. You guys are really helpless when the US tell you No... get used to it. Obama is there for another 3 years MINIMUM...

Frankly I don.t get it ? Jews are smart and sharp. How long will it takes for them to understand that their country is led by imbeciles. How many more proofs do they need ? It s not only that their government policy is suicidal, but it is a diplomatic major screw up every week ? What will be the next one ? I can't wait ...

#22 & #23, Europe needs to pay attention to its own issues and leave Israel to figure out its own issues. We are all grown ups and we must be able to deal with outs from anybody else.

So, EU wants Israel to agree to peace talks before they give Israel stuff. That shouldn't be any problem. Israel has participated in peace talks for a large part of the last 45 years, right? It shouldn't be hard to get some peace talks started and keep them going long enough to get the goodies. So what's the problem?

..."peace"-agreement ? what are they asking for to accept israel as a state...? does anyone have a link to their official statement ?

Jews and non Jews are fed up with the continuous violation of Internation Law by Israel. Politically, Israel is internationally isolated and insulated. It must stop building settlements and new housings in the occupied territories (they will all be torn down anyway, one day!), stop terrorizing and discriminating the Palestinian population and compromise with the Palestinians now. A TWO-STATES-SOLUTION MUST ENSUE NOW AND IMMEDIATELY if Israel wants to survive on the international (geographical and political) map.

We will go to China. Get back to peace table.

#5 Swiss Dino: Swiss should worry about EU more than Israel. Secret accounts will have to be public and it will ruin Swiss banks and Swiss economy.

Since taking office the palestinians have been making excuse after excuse to avoid talking. The latest is the fact that Israel is building in Jerusalem. Abbas knows full well that if Bibi wants to keep his coalition together he has to keep building in Jerusalem and no politician inside Israel or anywhere else in the world is going to sacrifice their career just so they can hold talks Bibi has suspended settlements building in Judea & Samaria and he keeps calling on Abbas to come talk even indirectly but Abbas isn't interested. We also recently had the Saudis refusing to hold indirect talks because of Jerusalem Bibi isn't perfect but he is making a much bigger effort than Abbas but as usual his calls for talks and Abbas playing hard to get are ignored, all they want to see is poor palestinians not talking and big bad Israel is responsible. If Abbas sneezed Israel would be blamed and there would be calls to punish Israel for it. If the EU wants to pressure somebody then pressure Abbas

is sickening and deplorable...if israel catered to the EUs every whim tomorrow , a standard unlike that to which any country would be held, it would not allow peace let alone propagate a long lasting peace. This is because the entire other side to this issue, and in fact the 800 lb gorilla of defiance and hatred of peace, would not be addressed.

Ms. Ashton who is hostile to Israel is flying to Israel on her broomstick. Be careful.

The left has spent like crazy in EU and now there are strikes in greece as the pain starts. UK,Spain, Portugal all have massive debt.

EU economies are a mess ashton should worry about herself. Greece is imploding next are portugal and spain.

Boycott Europe, no one in Europa cares about that. Do you really think Israeli products cannot be missed or Israel is an economic worldpower? Do you really think they need your cellphones and computers in China? We are already overcrowded with that products made in China. You only sell such things to Europe because of the to Israel given trade advantages, that Ashton now threatens to end. Be smart Israel needs Europe, Europe not Israel

Why demand entry then complain about the cost of entry. I know that most Europeans do not want us in anyway involved with the EU. I think it is humiliating to push ourselves on those who don't want us and think it is time to stand on our own two feet. We should not take US or EU aid and accept that we live in the East not the west. We need to acclimatize then perhaps we would stop behaving like crazy people, annoying the world and each other.

Looks like Europe has discovered the ME to show it may finally be able to develop a common foreign policy. First there was the signal to the Pals that the EU would consider recognising a unilaterally declared Pal state with EJ as capital, then the ECJ decision regarding products from settlements, now the EP decision regarding the Goldstone report and Ashton. If the Obama administration's hands are too tied due to lobbyism, it may send the EU to the forefront.

"When are you planning to ditch your computer and your cell phone, developed in Israel?" Neither the computer or the cell phone were developed in Israel.

with regard to this on going situation, the following link asks one for some self reflection: called a leftist speaks out http://www.aish.com/jw/me/85943662.html

If the EU were such a good deal, why has Switzerland not applied to join, After the bank fiasco, the Swiss econmy is no less vulnerable than the EU.

No one needs to ditch their computer or cellphone. The EU should stop importing food from Israel, if that does not work than we move it up a notch till they stop settlements and decide they want peace as their land grab will get them no where. I feel for the people of Israel as they will suffer thanks to the extremists who are in government.

Will EU soon also demand to the Palestinians to stop their cultivated hate incitement against Israel and to show more flexibility in the next round of peace talks? And will the EU tie its political support and its economic assistance to Palestinians to tangible improvements in this regard? It must be clear that only then Europe can and will on the long term remain a credible partner in solving the Arab-Israeli dispute.

Israel should boycott europe. If necessary open the doors to china. they admire smarts

'... the Israeli people are only willing to listen and learn through a much, much thinner purse.' Read the article again. The EU isn't talking of using sanctions against Israel as a stick, but rather using closer trade ties with Israel as a carrot. So, please try to control your glee as you feverishly imagine the EU going about the business of impoverishing Israelis. 'Make no mistake, the day will come, when you will thank us for our little "punishment".' Europe has done more than its share to punish the Jewish people, Dino, and has done it with sadistic malice; and so I very much doubt any Jew in his or her right mind looks to Europe, and Europeans, as any kind of moral authority. Most certainly, you, personally, are no example of one. MV

the only language to use. And America cutting all financial aids, nothing LESSSSSS

Inform Ashton that EU will be rejected by Israel as a participant in the "peace process", and cooperation with Quartet including EU will end, unless Ashton either 1) withdraws her threat (a violation of UNSC242, which the UK and France signed), 2) immediately applies it to the PA as well (WHICH IS THE PARTY REFUSING TO RESUME TALKS, NOT ISRAEL), or 3) agrees that on the day Israel signs a peace agreement with Abbas, Israel will automatically become a full member of both EU and NATO. Honestly, the Brits never tire of fantasizing that they are still a world power with influence over things. And "closer ties" to the people who persecuted Jews for 1000 years - and are still at it for the most part - is not worth that much to Israel in the long run (Eurocentric Labor and Meretz notwithstanding).

At EU shows that they do believe in straight talks. EU will never accept country that ignore UN resolutions, breaking Geneva conventions Laws and International Court of Justice, and UN. Jurist Goldstone's report.........

I agree a boycott would be an excellent idea. When are you planning to ditch your computer and your cell phone, developed in Israel?

What compromises have the Arabs offered? What has territorial compromise gotten Israel? It did wonders in Gaza didn't it?

How many diplomatic gaffes can Israel produce? Again and again and again allies, supporters and friends experience rebuffs and insults from Israel and the net result that the phrase "Israeli diplomacy" is an oxymoron! At the very time Israel most needs friends and influence, it causes those who wish to help and provide support to despair. The recent furore with the Us follows affronts to Turkey, UAE, the UK and so on. International relations must be improved if Israel is to succeed in achieving its goals.

....that the Israeli people are only willing to listen and learn through a much, much thinner purse. Both the U.S. and the EU would definitely have the necessary leverage in that regard.... ....and the best thing about it: In the end, it will all be in the very best interest of future Israeli generations. Make no mistake, the day will come, when you will thank us for our little "punishment"....

to boycott israel products is the best non violent way to bring justice back in the region It worked with South Afrika, it could work with israel

All but the terminally strident acknowledge that--in one way or another-- "mistakes were made." So, where will the cooler heads (on all sides) take it from here?

Well! Catherine Ashton plans to apply leverage to Israel. Does she not think that leverage should apply to the Palestinians. They are the ones who are boycotting any type of negotiations. This one sided approach by the European Lefties will not get anyone anywhere. The same applies to their calls on Israel to open the border crossing with Gaza. They conviently forget that there is a crossing with Egypt which can be opened. That is why Jews cry anti-semitism. The dice is always loaded against Israel by the Europeans who are the cause for this mess in the first place. .

condoning persecution of Gypsies ? Shouldn't Ashton address evictions of Gypsies from their dwellings in Hungary ,Slovakia or Italy before trying to blackmail Israel ?