Amir Peretz
Photo: Dana Kopel
Javier Solana
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Peretz urges EU to uphold PA boycott
Defense minister tells Solana EU should uphold economic boycott of Palestinians so long rocket attacks against Israel continue, saying PA could slide into total chaos if Hamas were not stopped
Defense Minister Amir Peretz
urged the European Union on Tuesday to ensure that an economic boycott of the Palestinian Authority remains in place as long as rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip against Israel continue.
"Now is the test for the European, American, and free world diplomacy. I call on you today to announce that so long the escalation continue all intentions to transfer funds to Hamas and to the unity government be stopped," Peretz told EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana during talks in Jerusalem.
Palestinian terror groups intensified rocket attacks against Israeli towns near the border with Gaza last week. Israel responded by launching aerial strikes at rocket cells and arms factories.
An economic boycott of the Palestinian Authority was imposed by international donors last year after Hamas rose to power. Hamas and Fatah forged a national unity government two months ago in a bid to end the boycott.
Japan and Norway have showed willingness to resume aid to the Palestinian Authority but leading world powers have refused to do so before Hamas renounced violence and recognized Israel's right to exist.
"Today, when Hamas is in the unity government and they lead the violence and support rocket attacks, we do not intend to stop. We will stop only when the rockets stop … We have to protect our citizens and children," Peretz said.
Peretz also warned that if the world did not act to stop Hamas the Palestinian Authority could slide into chaos.
"As a man of peace I tell you, you have to warn the international community that all the goodwill it expressed towards the unity government in the Palestinian Authority has to stop," he added.
"I visited Sderot yesterday and I know what is happening there," Solana said of the Qassam-battered city. "We live in at a time of rising violence, not only in the Palestinian Authority but also in Lebanon and other places. We really want to help calm down the situation."
Solana said the EU was working to bring the Palestinians and Israel back to the negotiating table.
