Foreign Ministry slams EU talks with Hezbollah, Hamas
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
The Foreign Ministry believes that the European Union has violated international law by talking to Hezbollah and by planning to make contact with Hamas. An internal ministry document obtained by Haaretz states that contact with representatives of these two groups is contrary to international law."Several countries have adopted a policy that includes entering into official talks with representatives of Hamas and Hezbollah, or refraining from taking harsh measures against their involvement in terrorism," the document states. "From a legal standpoint, such political considerations cannot justify activity that is contrary to international law."
The writers of the document based their comments on resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council, which outlaw active or passive support for bodies or individuals involved in terrorism.
The document severely criticizes EU activity, charging that its aim is to change the EU's position on the participation of Hamas in the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections. The document refers to the fact that Hamas is on the EU's list of terrorist organizations, and states that its operatives continue to plan attacks within Israel proper. Despite that, the writers maintain, the EU is planning to permit its appointed election monitors to meet with Hamas' candidates.
Israel vociferously objects to Hamas' participation in the elections, on the grounds that candidates representing a terrorist organization must not be given political legitimization.
The European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, told reporters last month that official EU policy is to limit contact with Hamas to "electoral matters" related to ensuring that the elections are properly managed. Sources in the diplomatic community said yesterday that this does not represent a change in the EU's position prohibiting political talks with Hamas. However, the European monitors at the polling stations will not be able to avoid coming into contact with Hamas candidates, if only on technical matters.
"No monitor will arrive at Hamas campaign headquarters, but he will talk to a Hamas candidate who pays a visit to a polling station," ventured one diplomatic source.
Nonetheless, Israel is concerned that the monitors - members of the European Parliament, for instance - will make use of their position to hold political talks with Hamas, in violation of the EU's official stance.
Regarding Hezbollah, the document complains that the organization "enjoys the best of all possible worlds" inasmuch as it operates a military wing alongside a political arm with representatives in the government. Some of the EU countries distinguish between these two facets of the organization, and thus keep it from being added to the union's terror list.