<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[EU Proposes Help To Palestinians In East&nbsp;Jerusalem]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p><span class="article-details"><span class="article-detail">Monday January 10, 2011 18:02</span><span class="article-detail"><img class="icon" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.imemc.org/graphics/person.gif" alt="author" /> by Alessandra Bajec &#8211; IMEMC &amp; Agencies</span></span> <a href="http://www.imemc.org/report_posts?subject=Report%20post:%20Story%2060377%20with%20title:%20EU%20Proposes%20Help%20To%20Palestinians%20In%20East%20Jerusalem&amp;message=Report%20post:%20Story%2060377%20with%20title:%20EU%20Proposes%20Help%20To%20Palestinians%20In%20East%20Jerusalem%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.imemc.org%2Findex.php%3Fobj_id%3D53%26story_id%3D60377%26%0A%0AEnter+your+reason+here+-+please+do+not+remove+the+above+link+as+it+will+allow+an+editor+to+easily+remove+the+offending+content"><img class="icon" title="Report post" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.imemc.org/graphics/report.gif" alt="Report post" /></a></p>
<blockquote class="article-intro"><p>In a new confidential report published  by The Independent on Monday, the European Union proposed having EU  officials observe at sites of imminent house demolitions or evictions in  East Jerusalem, and to step in when non-violent Palestinians are  arrested.</p></blockquote>
<p class="photo"><a name="attachment36299"></a> <img class="summary-image" title="Click on image to see full-sized version" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.imemc.org/attachments/jan2011/eu_help_to_east_jerusalem_pic.jpg" alt="(photo from http://www.france24.com)" width="245" height="165" /><br />
(photo from <a href="http://www.france24.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.france24.com</a>)</p>
<p class="article">The  25 EU Consuls General in Jerusalem prepared the proposal in a move to  strengthen the EU&#8217;s support for the rights of Palestinian residents of  East Jerusalem.</p>
<p>The EU top officials warned that Jewish settlement activity in East  Jerusalem is jeopardizing the two-state solution to the conflict in the  region. They also argued that the Palestinian population in the city is  being systematically undermined as a result of Israel’s annexation.</p>
<p>They suggested that they should not only be present when demolition or  eviction operations are carried, out but also attend court hearings in  this regard, and to &#8220;ensure EU intervention when Palestinians are  arrested or intimidated by Israeli authorities for peaceful cultural,  social or political activities in East Jerusalem&#8221;.</p>
<p>The Consuls urged for boycotting all settlement products and goods, and  indicated that they would refuse to be escorted by Israeli security  officers when touring in the Old City and other parts of occupied East  Jerusalem.  They also urged their governments to consider East Jerusalem as the  capital of Palestine, and to refrain from holding meetings with Israeli  government officials in East Jerusalem.</p>
<p>The document also states that the daily life of the Palestinian people  is directly impacted by the Israel’s policies towards East Jerusalem. –  including settlement activities as well as &#8220;restrictive zoning and  planning in the Arab areas, ongoing demolitions and evictions of  Palestinian homes, in addition to Israel&#8217;s inequitable education policy.</p>
<p>It added that the Palestinian face enormous difficulties in accessing  health care in the city, and are facing inadequate provision of  resources and investment&#8221;.</p>
<p>On the ground, plans to destroy illegal homes in the east Jerusalem  neighborhood of Ras Al-Amoud were reported on Monday morning. Although  the police confirmed sending forces to carry out the demolition, the  municipality did not confirm that it was preparing to implement any  demolition orders.</p>
<p>The newly released report comes on the heels of the EU’s strong reaction  to Sunday’s demolition of Shepherd Hotel in Sheilah Jarrah neighborhood  to make way for an illegal settlement in occupied East Jerusalem.</p>
<p>EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Catherine Ashton, denounced settlement  activities, and stated that the construction of settlements “undermines  trust between Israel and the Palestinians, and constitutes an obstacle  to peace.&#8221;</p>
<p>She reiterated the EU stance and said that &#8220;the EU does not recognize  the annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel&#8221;, and expressed concern over  recent violence in the West Bank.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/60377">EU Proposes Help To Palestinians In East Jerusalem &#8211; International Middle East Media Center</a>.</p>
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