Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel, has criticized the European Union for what she describes as a socially acceptable form of antisemitism, masked as anti-Zionism. This comes after the EU imposed sanctions on four Israeli civil society organizations and three of their senior figures, alleging their support for ‘settler violence’ and undermining the prospects for a Palestinian state.

Sanctions and Sovereignty

The sanctions have sparked a strong response from the targeted organizations, including Regavim, which argues that the EU’s actions infringe on Israeli sovereignty. Naomi Kahn, Director of Regavim’s International Division, stated that their activities are purely legal and parliamentary, aimed at highlighting areas where Israeli policy may be lacking or misguided. Kahn accused the EU of attempting to control the internal political system of an independent ally.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) justified the sanctions by claiming that extremist settlers and their supporting organizations contribute to violence and human rights abuses against Palestinians. The EEAS specifically accused Regavim of lobbying for the demolition of Palestinian property, including an EU-funded school in Jabbet al-Dhib near Bethlehem.

Legal and Safety Concerns

Kahn countered these accusations by explaining that the school was illegally constructed on Israeli state land and deemed unsafe for use. She argued that the EU and the Palestinian Authority are systematically violating the law to take control of Area C, using structures like schools and mosques.

Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the West Bank was divided into three areas, with Area C under full Israeli administrative and security control. Regavim claims that there are 100 illegal schools in Area C, part of a broader strategy by the Palestinian Authority to annex the area de facto.

Political Implications

In response to these developments, Israel’s cabinet has approved measures to counter efforts by the Palestinian Authority to establish control over disputed territories. The resolution declares initiatives by Ramallah to create a parallel land registry in Area C as having no legal validity.

Haskel emphasized that the real target of the EU’s sanctions is not violence but legitimate political opposition. She accused the EU of attempting to alter facts on the ground unilaterally, disregarding the Oslo Accords, and trying to ‘steal Israeli land.’

She also highlighted the moral distinction between law-abiding Israeli residents and organizations like Hamas, criticizing the EU for creating a false equivalence that undermines the exceptional threat posed by global terrorism.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.