European Parliament will not vote to upgrade relations with Israel

3 December, 2008

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has hailed the decision of the European Parliament today to postpone the vote for the foreseeable future on the EU proposal to upgrade relations between the EU and Israel.

The decision to postpone the vote came following a proposal from theEuropean United Left Group and of the Green Group in the European Parliament. The leaders of both these political groupings expressed the fear that voting for the proposal to upgrade relations at this time would send a very bad signal.

Hailing the decision to postpone the vote, Bairbre de Brún MEP said:

“This is a signal that the European Parliament is not happy to simply accept the proposal to upgrade EU-Israel relations. For my part I will argue strongly that this vote should not take place until there has been a demonstrable change in the approach of the Israeli government to respect for human rights.” ENDS

Note to Editor:

Today’s decision by the European Parliament means that the EU Heads of government cannot upgrade relations with Israel at the Council Meeting next week.