EU mulls renewing ties with Palestinians in East J'lem

The European Union is considering renewing political contacts with Palestinian representatives in East Jerusalem and economic assistance to Palestinian institutions in the city. The move comes in response to EU dissatisfaction over Israeli actions such as the building of the separation fence, the planned expansion at Ma'aleh Adumim, and the destruction of Palestinian buildings.

The recommendation to renew EU activity in East Jerusalem is part of a report prepared by EU representatives in Jerusalem and Ramallah that severely criticizes Israel's actions.

After receiving the report, the council of EU foreign ministers this week expressed grave concern over Israel's actions, saying they could jeopardize the possibility of a future agreement on the division of territory. However, the council decided to delay the report's publication due to improved EU-Israeli ties such as the dispatching of European border observers at the Rafah crossing.

A senior European source said yesterday that officials in Brussels had yet to decide how to act. The Europeans are not interested in a confrontation with Israel over such a sensitive political issue, he said, and certainly not when elections are about to be held. Also they are aware that Israel could undermine their work if it runs counter to Jerusalem's wishes.

At the same time, the Europeans believe it is important to watch out for the interests of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, which serves as the economic, medical, social and spiritual center of the West Bank. They are also concerned about harming their relations with the Palestinian Authority, which has placed the struggle against Israeli action in Jerusalem at the top of its political agenda. As a result, the Europeans are treading carefully and seeking a compromise.

European envoys used to meet Palestinian political figures at the Orient House in East Jerusalem. Following the signing of the Oslo Accords, they agreed to lower the level of diplomatic meetings, but did not halt them completely. After a terrorist attack in 2001, Israel shut down Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, and they have not been reopened since. Former Shin Bet security force head Avi Dichter considered the move one of the most important Israeli achievements during the intifada.

The road map calls for the reopening of these Palestinian institutions as a first stage toward its implementation. The issue, however, has not come up for discussion at any point due to Israel's vehement opposition to the idea.