Israel says EU relations 'friendly' again after label spat

Published February 12, 2016

Israel's foreign ministry says relations with the European Union are "close and friendly" again after tensions arose last year over the bloc's decision to label West Bank exports.

Spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said the sides had "overcome the crisis" after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini spoke Friday.

He said Israel received assurances the move "is not a political step to determine future borders or to boycott Israel."

In November, Israel suspended contacts with EU officials on the political process with the Palestinians to protest the move, which it said is discriminatory.

Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war and built settlements there soon after. Palestinians claim the territory for their future state, a position that has global support.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-says-eu-relations-friendly-again-after-label-spat