is exactly what drives EU policy....

Looks like the European Union has finally done the math. Or does it (cynical me!) have something to do with the fact that the huge, aptly named Leviathan natural gas field is about to come on line? The Europeans are no friends of the Jews; they are therefore no friends of Israel. They want something we have; they have no interest in truth, justice, or anything else besides inexpensive gas. They are self-serving hypocrites. Beware. No back-door dealings here. If they want our gas, don't let them get away with claiming that it would be "politically inappropriate" to come out and stand for the truth. If they can't speak up, they don't get the gas. It's really all that simple. Let the European Union spend billions of dollars it does not have to import badly-needed gas from somewhere else. Israel has plenty of eager customers. We don't need the European Union. Especially considering Europe's history with respect to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Let them come on bended knee. Or not at all. It won't make a difference to us. Like I said -- PLENTY of customers.

The decision by the EU to upgrade trade relations with Israel despite the latter's continued violations of international law in the Occupied Territories and the increase of settler violence against Palestinian farmers illustrates the cowardice of the EU when it comes to taking firm action against Israel. The EU's most powerful weapon against Israel's violations of international law is trade sanctions. A clear majority of the general public would come out in support of this. In spite of this most EU prime and foreign ministers are plain cowards. They don't have the moral back bone to go against the policy driven by the USA and the pro-Israel lobby. For those who still think that the two state solution is attainable, think again. There is no political will and courage to oppose Israel. Most EU ministers are either cowards, afraid to rock the boat or ideological supporters of the Zionist state. What short sightedness! There isn't a statesman/woman to be found in Europe. I pity Catherine Ashton, who I think is trying hard, but is being stabbed in the back by cynical, calculating politicians. The two state model is dead, killed off by Israel's actions and American and EU inaction. The Palestinian struggle for equal rights within one state has only just begun.

"citing Israel's non-compliance with its obligations under international law" Not true. Citing "allegations of..." might be true.

to Pals both over and under the table and criticises Israel all the time. What have they done about incitement, peace rejection and ongoing terror,actual & failed terror from their favorite proletariat.? Where were they while thousands of missiles rained down on Israel? They discovered outrage when Israel hit back,as usual.

are not afraid to flex their muscles. They also have fellow travellers ever ready to shout down, sue, and intimidate those who stand in their way

For those that love to say that Europe and Europeans hate jews and Israel, there is the answer. The generality of the speak"all europeans hates jews",are been weaken. What do you think Europe prefer? Muslins or Jews? Maybe they dont love us,but they know,that without a good communication with Jews,Israel and US,EU has no future. Without us and USA, will become IU(Islamic Union)

I challenge you to cite the specific violations of International Law that you accuse Israel of. Let us see you quote the law and reference and Israel's violation of it. If you can do that, it will be worth our while to take you seriously. Otherwise, you are just mouthing platitudes and slogans - which is nothing more than hot air.

Why is this "senior EU diplomat" afraid to say all this loud? Maybe he doesn´t exist and is just another one of the many people trying to forge opinion?

Your language is quite disingenuous. There is no "violence against Palestinian farmers." Israel has a legitimate right and obligation go after terrorists who wantonly attack Israeli women and children. The fact that some Palestinian civilians are inadvertently killed is entirely the fault of those "brave" Hamas men who intentionally hide behind them, reveling in the publicity their deaths inevitably bring.

So here's an article that says good things are about to happen and our antagonists have been left to grumble on the sidelines. You would think this was a moment of small celebration reflected in talkbacks. But no, just one more opportunity to declare that the whole world is against us. It is truly a pathology, a very sad pathology.

Wow Sarah - another verbal avalanche...??? Well you really put them in their place now didn't you eh? Mi sheh tzoek tzodek eh?

So, you talk about settler violence against "Palestinian" farmers and do not even mention the sickening murder of the Fogel family in 2011 in Itamar where three kids and their parents were butchered while they were asleep by "Palestinians"! I have not heard of any crime perpetrated by the settlers that come even close to that! You are nothing but a Jew hater, and hence your arguments have no value!

The kind of statesman you are rooting for was hanged and his name was Eichmann. Your "Final Solution" has died too, give up hope.

Keep your ties as well of your Islamisc terrorists and leave us alone. We don't need you. You fund organizations dedicated to the overthrow of the liberal, democratic government of Israel and then want the fruits of the same. If that isn't chutzpah then it has no meaning. No take your ties and put them where the sun doesn't shine.

only 10% is visible, the rest is hidden under the iceberg I woulldn't trust the EU to tell me the time of day

No, you dumb extremist twit. It has nothing to do with the recent gas discoveries. I guess you missed the ''at the request of Israel'' part, haven't you? If the deal that has been struck was beneficial for the EU only, Israeli officials (if they are worth a damn) wouldn't have went along with it. Oh, and Gee, right back at you buddy.

The Palestinians are counting on the West to boycott and sanction Israel to death. Any Western sanctions encourages Palestinians to continue in this way and ignore peace. Western solidarity with Israel will show Palestinians that their odds of destroying Israel through diplomacy are weak.

This is wonderful news, hope to see you as members of the EU soon, NATO too..

maybe E U are getting the message that they can gain from israel more then by listning to the pro palistinians boycotters which dont cotribute nothing and nothing from the people they back and for Ashton to back it what can be said its a woman privilege to change her mind ?

..that they are going to be on the losing side of the future. That muslim alliances will crumble as arab spring brings chaos.

what a loser, you and the rest of your pathetic allies who will lose their oil. Israels time is emerging.

I have never commented on these talkbacks like this, but you're comments were so ridiculous, I had to reply. Below are facts from Israeli governmental source, an industry I work in. The EU is Israel's largest import and export market and accounts for about a third of Israel's total trade. In goods alone, not including financial... EU goods exports to Israel 2011: €20.0 billion EU goods imports from Israel 2011: €18.2 billion Remove everything and see how the economy and do math before and after, just work it out. These are just facts, not bizzare loony extreme ideas like you have. We here in Israel can't afford to be blowing off friendly nations. Really. You need to go outside more. Or take some valium. Anything that allows you to get a little perspective. Israel can't afford to be blowing off friendly nations. Oh, and stop looking at the world through a WWII lens. It makes you look foolish.

Europe needs Israeli gas. That's why.

I cannot help wondering if the EU commissioners were all sent copies of the Levy Report.They certainly should have been sent it because it blows the myth that the settlements are 'illegal under international law' right out of the water,once and for all. Maybe the EU has finally realised how much it's deceived itself and tried to deceive the public with regard to Israel ,Judea and Samaria and has been forced into a new,normal position in its relationship with the State of Israel. I eagerly await tomorrow. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

Is this his own opinion or did he hear other diplomats voice those concerns? EU has never really held back criticism of Israel or Jews in the past, so why now? And they certainly haven't held back criticism of Washington - for them, it's a habit like smoking. For this diplomat, anything positive towards Israel is a no-go. He just singled himself out.

The EU by its double-standard in turning a blind eye to the hundreds of human rights violations and violated agreements by the "Palestinians" while simultaneously funding them. and Hamas (most recently) with their attempts to break Gaza away from the PA, in order to create its own entity, after years of internal fighting which including an illegal bloody coup and landing itself on EU's terror list, while adhering to the goal of destroying Israel at all costs and ethnically cleansing its Jewish population. The only difference is...while the rest of the world saw the "Palestinians" intransigence and that the 2-State solution is dead, you just realized it today.