Brussels, Nov 17: Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told the European Union today it must take a "more balanced attitude" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict questions if it wants to be a major Middle East peace broker. Shalom's comments ahead of talks with his EU counterparts reflect long-standing Israel concerns that the European bloc is too pro-Palestinian. Those concerns have led Israel to seek to limit the EU's peacemaking role.
"Europe can play a key role in the peace process, but it must play a more balanced attitude toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he said. "Otherwise it will be more of the same like it was in the last 30 years."
Speaking to reporters as he arrived at EU headquarters, Shalom said Israel and Europe needed to work closer together to fight terrorism and forge a lasting Middle East peace.
"We would like to do everything we can in order to cooperate with the EU," Shalom said. "I don't accept that formula that existed for so long: that Israel can live without Europe and that Europe can live without Israel."
Bureau Report