EU freezes cooperation with Israeli police

According to the news in the daily Haaretz, the EU conveyed to Israel’s ambassador to the EU, Chaim Regev, that it had frozen the draft agreement on intelligence cooperation between the Israeli Police and the EU Police Service (Europol).

It was claimed that the decision was made due to concerns created by far-right parties, which are in the right-wing bloc led by Netanyahu, the leader of the Likud Party, which won Israel’s early general election on November 1. and they are expected to have a say in the new coalition government.

The draft cooperation agreement between the EU and Israel, which was signed in September and required the approval of the European Parliament, was aimed at improving intelligence sharing between member states to combat crime and terrorism.

It was also stressed that the decision was the “first signal” from the EU to Israel that Israel’s unilateral steps in policies towards the occupied West Bank would jeopardize its cooperation with the EU.

The Haaretz newspaper commented that Europe’s unusual decision not to proceed with a draft that has already been signed “raises red flags” in the Tel Aviv administration.

The Israeli government did not comment on the decision.

It is claimed that in recent years, mutual intelligence sharing between Israel and EU countries has helped prevent a series of terrorist attacks in European countries and also helps the fight against organized crime in Israel.

In snap general elections held on November 1 in Israel, which has been in a spiral of snap elections and coalition crises in recent years, the right-wing bloc led by former prime minister and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu won a clear victory by sending 64 deputies to the 120-seat Parliament.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Netanyahu with forming the government on November 13.

Led by Netanyahu, the right-wing bloc consists of the religious parties “Shas” and “United Torah Judaism” and the far-right Religious Zionism and Jewish Power parties.

Netanyahu, who is expected to be Israel’s new prime minister, handed over the “National Security Minister” to Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his far-right and racist policies, as part of ongoing coalition negotiations with his allies. .

Far-right voices in sensitive offices like the Ministry of National Security, as the status quo worsens and tensions rise in the occupied West Bank, are greeted with concern internationally, as well as by Israel and the Palestinians. (AA)