Jean Asselborn, the foreign minister of Luxembourg, a tiny monarchy of 600,000 residents in the heart of Europe, is currently one of Israel's biggest headaches on the diplomatic front. In an interview with Israel Hayom, Asselborn delivers a pointed message to Jerusalem, warning the government not to apply Israeli law in parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley.
The most veteran foreign minister in the European Union (this summer will be his 16th year in that office), he is the driving force behind the European initiative to torpedo Israel's sovereignty plans.
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In the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, Asselborn is promoting a hard-line toward Israel and pushing to examine the possibility of sanctions against the Jewish state if it implements its sovereignty plans. Opposition from Israel's allies in the EU – chief among them Hungary and Austria – has thus far prevented Asselborn's proposals from being accepted.
Asselborn is an indefatigable warrior on behalf of Palestinian rights and takes every opportunity to come to their defense. Speaking to Israel Hayom, he endorses the diplomatic position adopted by Brussels toward the new Israeli government: Avoid issuing direct threats, but stress to Israel that applying sovereignty will harm relations with its main commercial partner today, Europe.
Q: Israel's new government is expected to move toward implementing US President Donald Trump's peace plan. What is your opinion about this plan? Does it represent an opportunity to renew the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
"It is not my business to comment on the details of the plan, which was presented by Mr. Trump. I will only note two things: First – this plan deviates from the recognized international parameters. Second, the Palestinian Authority wasn't consulted during the plan's formulation. After all, a decision on the future of a nation cannot be made if it is not represented at the negotiating table. This would be a type of return to the Sykes-Picot approach (the secret treaty between the United Kingdom and France to define their spheres of influence in the Middle East following the First World War).
"The solution must be predicated on respect for international law, the relevant resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, and the agreed-upon international parameters."
Q: Why are you so opposed to the application of Israeli sovereignty in certain parts of the West Bank?
"First and foremost, I am concerned that annexation will represent a lethal blow to the two-state solution. It could lead to the creation of one state founded on inequality and eternal conflict. Second, I am opposed to annexation as a matter of principle, anywhere in the world, because it is a gross violation of international law. In 2014, I opposed the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia. Annexation will contribute to the collapse of the global order, based on a system of laws we constructed in the wake of the Second World War."
Q: If Israel decides to declare its sovereignty in parts of the West Bank, will the EU respond by imposing sanctions? And if so, what type of sanctions will they be?
"It's too early to talk about sanctions. We hope there won't be an annexation and we are working vigorously to prevent the annexation of occupied Palestinian territories. We are banking on prevention."
A friend of both sides
Q: You are extremely committed, personally, to defending Palestinian rights. Do you not think the Palestinians are largely responsible for their current situation?
"I am a friend of the Palestinians and Israel, and I appreciate that among friends things need to be said clearly. In this spirit, I always use exchanges of ideas with PA representatives to encourage them to organize elections to facilitate the continuation of the inter-Palestinian conciliation process."
About one month ago, the EU's representative to the PA sparked a great deal of anger for denouncing the EU's decision to restrict funding for organizations with ties to terrorist activity. EU parliamentarians demanded that an investigation be launched into the representative, a German diplomat.
Q: Do you support the immediate cessation of European monetary support for Palestinian organizations with ties to terrorism?
"The EU doesn't support organizations affiliated with terrorism."
When will you begin a dialogue with your new Israeli colleague?
"Israel is an important friend and partner of the EU in general and of Luxembourg's in particular. I will be glad to contact my new Israeli colleague – Gabi Ashkenazi – the moment it becomes possible."
