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	Thursday, November 20, 2008 22 Cheshvan, 5769

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Israel’s concern over EU-Hamas relations

Updated: 22/Nov/2005 17:30

Photo: AFP

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Israel's ambassador to the European Union has expressed concern over a decision by EU foreign ministers to continue to have connections with Hamas in the lead up to next year’s Palestinian elections.

Oded Eran told EJP he believes EU statements made this week are “not sufficient” and could legitimise Hamas involvement in the elections.

On Monday EU Foreign Ministers announced a decision to send an “observer mission” to monitor the legislative Palestinian elections, planned for 25 January.

EU observers would not engage in political discussions, unrelated to the election process, with candidates of any parties

EU Statement

The EU statement stressed that the members of the election observation mission “would have contact with all candidates,” including Hamas, despite the fact that the EU still considers it a “terrorist” organization and has no contact with it.

Such contacts, the EU ministers said, “would be strictly limited to that necessary to observe the election satisfactorily and in a credible manner.”

“EU observers would not engage in political discussions, unrelated to the election process, with candidates of any parties,” the statement added.

The EU foreign ministers also urged Palestinian groups who have engaged in terrorism to abandon this course. “The Council recalls the EU’s position that all factions, including Hamas, should renounce violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist and disarm,” their statement said.

Israeli concern

What if Hamas candidates go around with guns? The Palestinian Authority and Hamas might see the EU’s declaration merely as a recommendation rather than a strict clear demand

Oded Eran, Israeli ambassador to the EU

But Eran told EJP that any contact with Hamas candidates will be seen as a seal of approval of their involvement in the elections, despite not renouncing violence.

“We appreciate the latest EU declarations but we think that they are not sufficient in terms of benchmarks or limitations for allowing candidates to the Palestinian elections,” Eran said.

“We have stated for a long time that the participation of Hamas to the elections is unacceptable under the current conditions,” he added.
“Do we see militant armed groups participating in elections in any EU country?” Eran asked.

“What if Hamas candidates go around with guns? The Palestinian Authority and Hamas might see the EU’s declaration merely as a recommendation rather than a strict clear demand,” he stressed.

However, EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner rejected Eran’s fears, saying the monitoring mission must be allowed to have contact with all candidates.

Ferrero Waldner told the European Brussels press: “To do its job well, the observation mission needs to be able to talk to the candidates but to strictly limit these contacts to what is absolutely necessary,”

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