The European Commission has publicly criticized one of its offices in Jerusalem after Israel protested to the EU about critical EU statements on settlements in the West Bank. "The press release that was issued by the technical office of the Commission does not use wording that reflects the views of the European Commission or Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner," her spokeswoman said, adding that "The position is very clear about this and we have restated it at several occasions."
"Of course we are concerned about the negative effect that settlement policy has on the economic life of Palestinians, however the wording chosen in that statement does take it out of context, but in our view the reality is much more complex."
Israel's Foreign Ministry blasted the EU report as unfounded and summoned the head of the EU delegation, Ramiro Cibrian Uzal, after the Commission office said settlements were "strangling the Palestinian economy" and perpetuating Palestinian dependence on donors.
