EU May Sanction, Boycott Israel for E-1 Building Plans

Heralding the worsening of relations between Israel and Europe, the European Union is reportedly mulling the passing of sanctions on Israel, including the restriction of marketing Israeli goods and the boycott of goods made by Jews in Judea and Samaria – as punishment for Israel’s decision to develop additional housing in areas Palestinians say should be theirs.

Following the Palestinian Authority’s unilateral request for non-member state status at the United Nations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government announced that Israel would develop land long held by the country – currently labeled E-1 - situated between Jerusalem and the Jewish city of Maale Adumim in the Judean desert.

Europe has decried Israeli development of the land as counter to peace negotiations  European leaders have long touted as the solution to discord between Israelis and Palestinians.  The United Kingdom has threatened to recall its ambassador to Israel.   Britain, France, Spain, Swden, Denmark and Italy all called their Israeli ambassadors in to express their disapproval of Israel’s plans for growth.