Jerusalem, December 10, 2000

Israel wishes to express its disappointment with the EU Nice Declaration of December 8, 2000, in which the EU was unable to present a balanced and constructive position on the situation in the Middle East.

Particularly noticeable is the absence of any reference to the Palestinian responsibility for the continued violence, as expressed in the countless shooting attacks at Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Israel is ready to return to the negotiating table, as soon as the violence decreases. At the same time, it is vehemently opposed to any unilateral steps which are not taken within the framework of peace negotiations.