The European Union's Dutch presidency accused Israel on Friday of "disproportionate" reaction to Palestinian rocket attacks with intensified military incursions in Gaza. In a statement, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot called Israel's subsequent military retaliation in Gaza "disproportionate", noting it had also led to the deaths of civilians, including children, and left many injured. "Bot urged Israel and the Palestinians to consider the longer-term consequences of their actions, which merely inflame the situation and give rejectionist forces a pretext to derail the quest for a peaceful settlement," the Dutch statement said. The EU is a sponsor of the "road map" for Middle East peace.
