New European foreign minister criticizes Israel

Catherine Ashton, the European Union's new foreign policy chief, has lashed out against Israel. In her first major speech since taking office on 01 December, Ashton – a former deputy minister in the British government and until recently EU trade commissioner – condemned Israel's "occupation,"  demanded that Israel lift its “blockade” of the Gaza Strip and blasted the security barrier. "We are deeply concerned about the daily living conditions of people in Gaza. Israel should reopen the crossings without delay."

Ashton added: "East Jerusalem is occupied territory together with the West Bank. The EU is opposed to the destruction of homes, the eviction of Arab residents and the construction of the separation barrier."

In her address to European Parliament members in Strasbourg, she also belittled Israel's construction freeze in West Bank settlements, calling it a "first step," despite the fact that EU foreign ministers last week took "positive note" of the freeze. Ashton also seemed to criticized former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, currently the special envoy to the Middle East for the Quartet made of the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia, saying that "The Quartet  must demonstrate that it is worth the money, that it is capable of being reinvigorated. I have talked about this with both sides in Jerusalem, to Mr. Blair and the Secretary of State [Hillary Clinton]."

During her address to the parliamentarians, Ashton announced that she planned to visit the Middle East in late January or early February. Some left-wing and liberal members of the European Parliament have called for measures to be taken against Israel, including a suspension of the EU's Association Agreement and trade penalties against products made in West Bank settlements.