On Tuesday, the European Union initiated a directive requiring member states to boycott Israelis living in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

This decision by the EU to exclude Jewish settlements in the West Bank from any future trade agreements has effectively removed any incentive for the Palestinian Authority to resume negotiations with the Israeli government on final status issues.

Effete, privileged European diplomats have done nothing less than short circuit the process that was to lead to a resolution of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The Oslo Accords, based on bilateral negotiations, have been usurped by an out of control European superstate.

With the European Parliament having so brazenly hijacked the peace process, the appearance of a double standard can no longer be denied: has the EU taken similar steps in any other territorial dispute around the world? Where are the strongly worded condemnations of European governments against their own…