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As @SecPompeo Pompeo visits Israel and the incoming govt preps to take office, Europe has started to consider its moves if #Israel pushes ahead with annexation. That work has gone further than officials had indicated. Thread: With @felschwartz https://www.wsj.com/articles/secretary-pompeo-in-israel-discusses-annexation-amid-coronavirus-lockdown-11589395697 -1-
In Feb, March EU Quartet rep @STerstalEU met several times with small groups of member states to discuss the Is/Pal situation and the possibility of annexation. In the last few days, @eu_eeas circulated a report that was essentially the suggestions put to her in EU capitals-2-
There's range. Hardest hitting are calling for a @EU_Commission review of #Isreal access to #Horizon Europe and Erasmus programs and to other forms of EU funding. Other suggestions inc. tightening guidance to stop money flowing to Israeli firms/entities in Occupied Territories-3-
and increasing funding for Palestinians in areas considered crucial to maintain possibility of a two-state solution if annexation proceeds. There is of course also the public call by Asselborn to recognize Palestine if annexation happens. The report with these suggestions was-4-
discussed Monday at PSC with @STerstalEU present. She essentially told them, diplos say, this is effectively the member states paper -- ie this wasn't an EU options paper but a collection of what member states had said to her. As previously reported, a number of countries -5-
have asked for an EU options paper on annexation response but that hasn't so far happened and Hungary at least is dead set against though they can't stop @JosepBorrellF doing one if he wishes. On Friday, EU foreign ministers meet to discuss all this. As @JosepBorrellF said -6-
yesterday, don't expect any decisions on Friday. I hear he may be mandated to reach out to Israel, Pals and other partners to see how EU can be constructive. Also interesting to watch if he says he'll produce an options paper on annexation or has been asked to produce one. -7-
Outcome of all this is not a foregone conclusion - not least because it's not clear what Israeli govt will actually do - but sources tell me #annexation is a real red line and that, as @JosepBorrellF and others have said, it could not go unanswered. Israelis aware of all this -8-
And they're certainly not excluding the possibility this ends with some real EU response from what I hear. They're also clear that Israel's significant access to Horizon Europe would be a big deal for both sides and would represent a blow to the flagship cooperation vehicle -9-
So from moment @JosepBorrellF picks up phone to new Israeli foreign min (expected Thu), we're in for big few months in EU-Israel ties that could produce significant shifts, new tensions. For detail on #Israel & Horizon Europe, see here. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dashboard/extensions/CountryProfile/CountryProfile.html?Country=Israel END
