The Palestinian prime minister is urging the European Union not to upgrade ties with Israel unless Israel halts settlement expansion and construction of the West Bank separation barrier. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad spoke Wednesday in the village of Bilin. The barrier threatens to swallow almost 10 percent of West Bank land. Fayyad has sent a letter to the EU asking it not to upgrade ties with Israel unless Israel freezes settlements, the Associated Press reported. On Wednesday, he raised the issue publicly. He said the international community needs to take a firm stand. He said that «in this context came our call to the EU» not to upgrade its relationship with Israel.
