http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137631 EU Diplomat Quits Delegation Over 'Anti-Israel Propaganda'
by Maayana Miskin
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Italian Member of European Parliament Gabriele Albertini, a senior foreign relations official, has stepped out of a delegation to Israel, calling the delegations planned trip an “anti-Israel propaganda mission.”
Albertini shared his views regarding the delegation with EU official Silvio Gonzato via email. The email was leaked to the EU Observer, which published part of Albertini's message this week.
"Out of the 25 deputies who are to take part in the mission, there are fewer colleagues than the fingers on one hand whom you could define as pro-Israeli or even neutral,” Albertini told Gonzato. “Rather than a peace-keeping mission, it looks like an anti-Israel propaganda mission is being prepared!”
The email followed a disagreement between Albertini and his fellow delegates after Israel refused to authorize the group to enter Gaza from Israel. While Albertini believed the delegation should alter its itinerary to allay Israel's concerns, other delegates voted to circumvent Israel's decision by entering Gaza through Egypt, and to show their displeasure by canceling a meeting with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
According to Albertini one delegate, German MEP Hans-Gert Poettering, wanted to hold a press conference criticizing Israel before the mission even began. Poettering's idea earned applause from his fellow delegates, he added.
Israel turned down the delegates' request to enter Gaza due to concern that diplomatic missions to Gaza give moral support to Hamas. Israeli officials also noted that the EU delegation planned to “concentrate its program around interlocutors representing the views of only one side of the conflict.” (IsraelNationalNews.com)
Topic: E.U. Diplomat leaves Delegation to Israel over anti Israel Delegates pick (Read 622 times)