EU: Israel Violates Oslo Accords

The EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, called on Israel yesterday to immidiatly renew the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, calling the recent freeze on the funds a violation of the Oslo Accords, “Haaretz writes”.

Mogherini stressed in a statement that Israel’s decision to freeze the transfer of tax revenue “runs counter to Israel’s obligations under the Paris Protocol ” – the economic part of the Oslo Accords. According to Mogherini, the EU provides extensive financial aid to the Palestinian Authority to build the institutions and infrastructure of the future Palestinian state. “These achievements should not be put at risk by not meeting obligations regarding the timely and transparent transfer of tax and custom revenues,” she said.

Mogherini’s statement didn’t mention the Palestinian move to sign the Rome Statute and their request to join the International Criminal Court at The Hague, saying only that “recent steps taken by Palestinians and Israelis could aggravate the already tense situation on the ground and bring them further away from a negotiated solution.” The foreign policy chief called on both sides to “refrain from taking actions which could raise obstacles to the rapid return to the negotiations.”

Meretz chairwomen Zahava Gal-On said following Mogherini’s statement that “if the Palestinian had the right to vote, they would probably pick Netanyahu. He has been doing them a great public relations service and is isolating Israel around the world.” Gal-On added: “The Palestinains could not have hoped for a better lobbyist on their way to deciding to join the international tribunal at The Hague.”

Also on Tuesday, France warned the Palestinians against escalating a diplomatic battle with Israel after President Mahmoud Abbas said he would resubmit to the UN Security Council a resolution calling for the creation of a Palestinian state.

France, one of the Council’s five permanent members, backed the initial resolution despite some reservations. France’s parliment also backed Palestinain independence in a symbolic vote on Dec. 2 that underlined Europe’s impatience with a stalled Middle East peace process.

But Paris signaled concern that Abbas diplomatic offensive could harm chances for peace by antagonizing Israel, “Haaretz writes.”

We are aginst the logic of letting this spiral (out of control),” Foriegn Minister Laurent Fabius told repoters.

“While we think the Palestinians have the right to move the status quo, at the same time there has to be an effort to find a consensus solution. Once you set this cycle off, you get results that you don’t want one way or another.”

On Monday, the U.S. State Department also criticized Israel for freezing the tax revenues.”We conveyed to the Israelis that freezing the tax revenues is an action that raises tensions,” U.S State Department Spokeperson Jen Psaki told reporters, “We oppose to any actions that raise tensions and we call on both sides to avoid it.”

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with Netanyahu about the Palestinian efforts over the course of the weekend, Psaki said, adding that the U.S .was in contact with Palestinian leadership over the matter as well. ” We would like to prevent it [the ICC bid] from moving forward,” Psaki said.