(Haaretz).Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday dismissed European calls to suspend the upgrade in Israel's relations with the European Union. "Don't set conditions for us," Netanyahu told Mirek Topolanek during the Czech premier's visit to Israel. Netanyahu said Israel's relationship to Europe should not be linked to its relationship to the Palestinians.
"Peace is in Israel's interest no less than it is in Europe's interest, and there's no need to make the upgrade in relations with Israel conditional on progress on the peace process," Netanyahu said. "We are in the process of reviewing our policy; don't rush us."
Topolanek is the first foreign government leader to visit Israel since the Netanyahu cabinet was sworn in three weeks ago. The talks between the two were reportedly conducted in a relaxed atmosphere. But Topolanek, whose country holds the EU's six-month rotating presidency, brought up the issue of construction in West Bank settlements and European concerns that this could prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"If Israelis can't build homes in the West Bank then Palestinians shouldn't be allowed to either," Netanyahu said in response. He told the Czech leader he has no intention of halting the expansion of existing settlements. "I have no plans to build new settlements, but if someone wants to build a new home [in an existing one], I don't think there's a problem." He characterized the West Bank as "disputed territory" over which negotiations must be held.
Topolanek asked Netanyahu whether he intended to evacuate the illegal outposts on the West Bank, as Israel has promised in the past in the road map and other agreements. Netanyahu said the outposts are both a domestic and foreign issue. "I intend to enforce the law with regard to the outposts," he said.
