EU shuts down pro-Israel congressional hawks
The EU’s top diplomat dismisses congressional attacks against its settlement labeling policy.
The European Union’s top diplomat has made it clear to Congress that the EU has no intention of reversing its policy of labeling Israeli settlement goods.
Congressional accusations that the EU policy is akin to a boycott of Israel are “not only misleading, but also unjustified,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini wrote to House and Senate lawmakers in identical letters obtained by Al-Monitor. The letters, dated Dec. 23, stress that “there is no EU boycott of any product” and that trade between the EU and Israel has doubled over the past two decades.
“Allow me first to state in the clearest possible terms that the European Union is a friend of Israel and has never advocated or condoned a boycott of Israel, of its citizens, of its companies or of its products,” Mogherini wrote.
The high representative for foreign affairs goes on to assure lawmakers that she has discussed the EU’s concerns about continued Israeli settlement construction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and remains “confident that the EU and Israel will continue to have excellent relations.”
