European Union leaders warned Israel today they will not recognise any grab of Palestinian land resulting from the construction of an extensive security barrier meant to lock out terrorists.
Ending a two-day summit in Brussels, the leaders again condemned the rocket attack that killed Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, whom Israel held responsible for dozens of suicide attacks that have killed hundreds of Israelis since 2000.
While Europe recognises Israel's right to protect its citizens against terrorism, it "has consistently opposed extra-judicial killings which are contrary to international law", they said.
The EU statement did not directly mention the security barrier of hundreds of miles of trenches, walls and razor wire Israel is building around the West Bank.
It roughly follows the pre-1967 borders, but in places cuts deep into Palestinian areas.
The leaders said the EU "will not recognise any change to the pre-1967 borders other than those arrived at by agreement" in peace talks. The leaders urged Israel and the Palestinians to emerge from a cycle of retaliatory attacks that has "caused widespread suffering and loss of life".
AP
