Jerusalem Report

Double standards

Europe’s stance has been detrimental to the prospects for a political settlement.

United Nations General Assembly
Photo by: Chip East / Reuters
The response by Europe to Israel’s recent decision to authorize plans for future building in E1, the barren stretch of land between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim to the east of the capital, wasn’t at all surprising – but it was hypocritical. In what arguably was an unwarranted overreaction, condemnation was swift and harsh with several European governments summoning Israeli ambassadors to warn them of unspecified consequences should construction begin.

The reason for the fierce outcry? As Alistair Burt, British Undersecretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, put it: The E1 plan “threatens the viability of a two-state solution.”

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