A confidential report written by
European Union diplomatic representatives in East Jerusalem and Ramallah
suggests that European countries should consider East Jerusalem as of
now as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
The news was published
on the front page of the Israeli daily Haaretz.
The report is signed by 25 consuls and other diplomatic staff,
and was sent last month to the EU Commission for Foreign policy and
Security.
Apparently it has not been made public because of its
delicacy.
The petitioners also recommend to the Commission other measures
relating to the eastern part of the city.
Among suggestions, the
refusal of European Union government personalities and politicians to
visit the offices of the Israeli government that are beyond the "Green
Line" that separates the western part of Jerusalem from the east, and
the refusal to make use of Israeli "security" in the Old City and East
Jerusalem.
The diplomats report also discusses the possibility of banning
"violent settlers in East Jerusalem" from entering European Union
countries.
They also encourage a boycott of Israeli products that come
from East Jerusalem.
The first part of the report examines in detail the construction
and expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem, the violations of human
rights of Palestinian residents, inequalities in health and education
services for Palestinians.
The report concludes that beyond the
humanitarian significance, these elements undermine the Palestinian
presence in the Old City.
SIC: AN/INT'L