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| Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu |
The European Union has set itself on a collision course with Israel after drawing up a list of sanctions to be imposed if the country takes steps that would make the establishment of a Palestinian state impossible.
In what amounts to Europe's toughest-ever line with the Israelis, punishments such as trade restrictions could result if continued settlement building on occupied land is deemed to be at odds with reaching a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict - defined as an independent Palestine alongside Israel.
A catalogue of measures has been set out in a secret document prepared by the European External Action Service and distributed to the EU's 28 member states.
While diplomats are shying away from characterising them as "sanctions", the paper - whose contents are said at the early discussion stage - advocates a "carrot and stick" approach to relations with Israel. » | Robert Tait, Jerusalem | Sunday, November 16, 2014
