Israeli criticize European position, refuses to meet German foreign minister

Amid strong Israeli criticism for the European Union's position, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, without explanation. Germany holds the current presidency of the European Union.

Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon also canceled a meeting scheduled to be held with his German counterpart.

Meanwhile, Israel described the support given by Europe to the Palestinians as of "suspicious" intentions. Spokesman for the Israeli premier, David Bar Illan, strongly criticized the 115 UN General Assembly members who voted for a decision calling for convening a special conference to discuss the Israeli continued violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949 in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Bar Illan said the "Europeans vote systematically at the UN in favor of the Palestinians at the expense of Israel."