EU envoy won’t rule out punitive measures over Regulation Law

The European Union’s top envoy to Israel will not rule out punitive measures against Israel in the wake of the controversial Regulation Bill.

“Well, we’ll have to see about that,” Ambassador Lars Faaborg-Anderson replies when The Times of Israel asks him whether the union will make do with the sharp criticism its foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, issued yesterday, or whether Jerusalem should brace itself for additional steps.

“We put out a statement now, and then we’ll have to see what other measures we might follow up with. I am not privy to any knowledge at this point in time.”

Speaking at the sidelines of a diplomatic seminar in the Knesset, Lars Faaborg-Anderson says the EU is “very concerned” over the legislation, calling it a “very drastic measure” that distances prospects for peace and could even lead to unrest in the region.

“There are a number of worrying elements, including the fact that the Knesset is exceeding its authority by legislating in an area in which it doesn’t really have a mandate, in which it doesn’t really have any authority.”

Together with Israel’s recent announcement of over 6,000 housing units across the West Bank, this law is another indication of Jerusalem’s unwillingness “to pay more than lip service to the idea of negotiations about a two-state solution,” he says. “Certainly these steps are pointing in a totally opposite, different direction [from past Israeli policy]. And we’re worried about it. We’re also worried about keeping stability on the ground, and I don’t think these measures are very helpful in that regard, either.”

— Raphael Ahren