Foreign Ministry: EU stance on J'lem harms peace talks

The Foreign Ministry yesterday lashed out at a European Union plan to call for the division of Jerusalem between Israel and the Palestinians, saying such a move would harm the chances of renewing Middle East peace negotiations.

EU foreign ministers are expected to issue an official call next week for Jerusalem to be divided, in order to serve as the capitals of both Israel and a Palestinian state. A draft document authored by the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, Sweden - and implying that the EU would recognize a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood - has been obtained by Haaretz.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry said: "The process being led by Sweden harms the European Union's ability to take part as a significant mediator in the political process between Israel and the Palestinians."

"After the important steps taken by the government of Israel to enable the resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians, the European Union must now exert pressure on the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Steps like those being led by Sweden only contribute to the opposite effect," the statement said.

A Dutch diplomat called an EU decision on east Jerusalem hard to imagine. Major decisions require unanimous approval, and there are divisions among the 27 members over the Jerusalem issue. Other diplomats said the wording of any final proposal would likely change.