Secret Israeli Report Sees Rift With Europe Growing – J.J. Goldberg – Forward.com
A classified Israeli foreign ministry document, leaked to the daily Yediot Ahronot, warns
that 2015 will see Israel’s standing on the world stage steadily
deteriorating. It predicts “worsening drift in Europe toward Palestinian
positions, more parliaments recognizing the State of Palestine, fear of
sanctions and labeling merchandise [to separate settlement products
from tariff-free Israel-proper products] and no certainty that the
United States will continue after Israel’s March elections to protect
Israel with its veto.”
The document is said to be a summary of an
interministerial assessment roundtable convened by foreign minister
Avigdor Lieberman, and is signed by foreign ministry deputy
director-general Gilead Cohen. It was circulated to Israel’s ambassadors
around the world, Yediot reported.
In addition to labeling settlement products and
parliamentary votes to recognize Palestine, the foreign ministry
document warns of European nations halting the supply of replacement
parts for Israeli equipment and demanding compensation for damage caused
by Israel to European projects in the territories.
