From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 29, 2016
EU anger flares over settler video showing muzzled envoy
The European Union has cried foul to Israel over a video produced by a settler group that calls for EU envoy Lars Faaborg-Andersen to be “restrained” and depicts him with a Hannibal Lecter-esque muzzle on his face.
EU officials demanded of Israel’s ambassador to the EU in Brussels that Jerusalem condemn the video beyond a statement by Foreign Ministry head Dore Gold disavowing the clip, according to Haaretz.
The video, posted by a group called the Jerusalem Periphery Forum, blasts Faaborg-Andersen for what it calls illegal building in the capital east of Jerusalem.
“The video posted by an Israeli settler group attacking the Ambassador of the European Union to Israel is appalling. Resorting to personal threats and slander can never be justified despite differences of opinion,” the EU says in a statement. “To raise allegations of the EU supporting terror is unacceptable. We appreciate that the Israeli government has quickly condemned the video and we trust that the Israeli authorities will take appropriate action.”
— with Raphael Ahren
The Times of Israel Community.