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EU severely condemns sacking of Joseph's Tomb |
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October 8, 2000
PARIS (AP) - The European Union on Saturday issued a severe condemnation of the sacking of an Israeli enclave in occupied Palestinian territory known as Joseph's Tomb and expressed "deep concern" that confrontations were continuing. The EU called on Israelis and Palestinians to do everything to apply measures agreed upon in Paris just days ago aimed at cutting the risks of confrontation. Given the risk of increased violence, it called on both sides to show "more than ever reason and reserve." A statement by the 15-member EU said the body "condemns without reserve" Saturday events in the West Bank town of Nablus, where Palestinian gunmen and civilians stormed an Israeli enclave, ripping apart sacred Hebrew texts - including prayer books and bible commentaries - and setting fire to parts of the compound in a show of triumph, just hours after Israeli troops evacuated the site. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak had ordered the evacuation from the enclave, known as Joseph's Tomb - the first time Israel relinquished territory as a direct result of Palestinian violence. The EU "reiterates its rejection of all forms of provocation and renews its call for the absolute respect of holy sites for believers of all religions," the statement said. Violence across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, sparked by a visit by hard-line opposition leader Ariel Sharon to a Jerusalem shrine holy to Muslims and Jews, has claimed at least 80 lives, most Palestinian. |