The European Union has issued an internal report highly critical of Israeli policies in the West Bank.

Authors of the report, titled “Area C and Palestinian State Building,” were criticized by Israeli diplomatic sources for not getting any input from the Israeli government, according to the Jerusalem Post. “At a certain point, the Europeans are going to have to engage Israel, and not only the Palestinians, when they write these reports,” one Israeli source said. “It’s as if Israel does not exist, does not have its own version of events, reality, reasons, policy, or policymaking process.”

The EU has decided to pursue a series of steps that may undermine Israel’s control over “Area C” in the West Bank, according to Ynet, which has obtained a copy of the internal report. Area C makes up 62 percent of the West Bank and is the portion that, under the Oslo Accords, is fully controlled by Israel. Just 6 percent of the Palestinian population resides in this part of the West Bank. The report says that Europe will support building, infrastructure, educational and other projects in this region in order to “support the Palestinian people and help maintain their presence” there.

Revealing their interest in the area, the EU diplomats state that “The window for the two-state solution is rapidly closing … and Area C is the only contiguous area in the western Negev surrounding Area A and B. Area C comprises crucial natural resources and land for the future demographic and economic growth of a viable Palestinian state. State building efforts in Area C … are therefore of utmost importance in order to support the creation of a Palestinian state.”

“The diplomats underscore throughout the brief the need for EU support of private and public sector projects and infrastructure, but make no mention of involving Israel, or obtaining its cooperation in such projects,” Ynetnews reported January 12.

A Western diplomat, commenting on the document, said the EU had simply decided to ignore Israeli regulations: “What Europe is essentially saying here is that because Area C is vital for sustaining a viable Palestinian state, we will support whatever needs to be done for the sale of Palestinian development in the area regardless of Israel’s planning policy.” He said the EU’s purpose was to reduce the need for Palestinian building permits in the area by intervening directly, confirming: “European funding of vital projects like water infrastructure will be independent of Israeli authorities’ approval.”

The EU report is just the latest of ongoing criticism Israel has received from Europe regarding its policies. The EU has consistently sided with the Palestinians, yet Israel continues to reach out to Europe for support. Read “The Counterfeit Peacemaker” to see where this will end.