Peres calls on EU to ‘freeze’ settlement directives

President Shimon Peres on Sunday called on the European Union to halt the implementation of new anti-settlement directives, saying that when the future borders are determined between Israel and a Palestinian state, the issue of settlements will be solved.

“I recommend freezing this resolution at this time,” Peres told German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who was on an official visit to Israel. The EU resolution “addresses the question of borders and the differences between the West Bank and Israel, but if we reach an agreement this question will be meaningless,” said the president.

Peres added that, for the first time, the Arab world was showing its support for peace and that “Israel was united” around the need for a two-state solution.

Westerwelle said there was “no change” in the EU approach toward cooperation with Israel, and that it would continue to strengthen the ties between them.

Tzipi Livni holds a joint press conference with Guido Westerwelle at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on August 11, 2013. (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Earlier Sunday, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said the borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state will be determined by the two sides, and not by the European Union. At a press conference following a meeting with Westerwelle in Jerusalem, she said that, sometimes, Israel’s relations with the EU are affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The future borders between Israel and Palestine will be decided through negotiations and not by EU guidelines,” declared Livni, who heads Israel’s delegation to the newly restarted peace talks.

Livni said that guidelines and regulations aimed at pressuring Israel, like the ones released last month banning European cooperation with Israeli bodies that operate beyond the Green Line, were not helpful.

“The EU must wait to see the results of the talks,” she said, adding that she was hopeful the issue of borders would be addressed.

Westerwelle said his country supports the talks “and believe[s] it’s an interest of [both] sides.” Germany, he said, will play a role in the negotiations.

Addressing the diplomatic crisis between Israel and the EU following the release of the new regulations, Westerwelle said that with “goodwill from both sides the decision can be implemented moderately,” and warned against steps that would hurt the ongoing negotiations.

The new directives, to take effect at the start of 2014, require the EU and its members to cease any joint activity with — or funding of — Israeli entities working in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.

The measures also require any future agreements between Israel and the EU to include a clause in which Israel accepts the European Union’s position that all territory over the Green Line does not belong to Israel — a requirement that is anathema to Israel.