The Palestinian envoy Manuel Hassassian criticises Israel’s strong ties to the US and Europe, and describes the UK’s economic aid to Palestinians as “a pittance” when compared with bilateral trade between Israel and the UK (Why is Britain silent on the extrajudicial killing of Palestinians?, Opinion, theguardian.com).
Israel is indeed guilty of maintaining strategic ties with European democracies, based on shared values and joint challenges, including those of radical Islam. Instead of blaming Israel for the current impasse, Palestinian leaders should ask why a jihadi terror group was allowed to take over the Gaza Strip, and how millions of the aforementioned “pittance” in international aid to the Palestinian Authority ends up in the bank accounts of convicted terrorists. The answers to these questions are critical for enabling meaningful negotiations towards the peace that Israelis and Palestinians surely need.
Yiftah Curiel
Spokesperson, Embassy of Israel, London
