European leaders urge Netanyahu: Don't apply sovereignty - Europe

Leaders of major European countries sent personal letters to Netanyahu, urge him not to promote sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

Some of the leaders of major European countries have sent personal letters to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in recent days urging him not to promote a move to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and to act on the Palestinian issue only in accordance with international law, Barak Ravid of Channel 13 News reported on Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote to Netanyahu in a letter quoted in the report, "In a friendly spirit, I ask that your new government not take unilateral steps. Such a move will undermine stability in the Middle East.”

Israeli and European officials said that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent a sismilar letter to Netanyahu in coordination with Macron. It is unclear whether a similar letter was also sent by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Spanish Prime Pedro Sánchez also sent a personal letter to Netanyahu in which he wrote, according to Ravid, "We believe international law must be respected and a two-state solution must be achieved in accordance with UN resolutions." A copy of the letter was also sent to Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote to Netanyahu, "Negotiations with the Palestinians must be renewed and a two-state solution must be achieved on the basis of international law." Conte also sent a copy of his letter to Gantz.

The coalition agreement between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz, which stipulates that the government can apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria this coming July, has caused an uproar in Europe.

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, recently warned Israel against applying sovereignty over portions of Judea and Samaria.

“The European Union reiterates that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law. The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly,” he said.

Last week, Borrell made clear that the EU will not accept an Israeli move to apply sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria.