European Union

In a speech to the Palestinian National Council on Monday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the Jewish people for the Holocaust, claiming that the Shoah was caused by the Jews' "social behaviour". Europe's commentators condemn his statements as anti-Semitic and discuss the consequences for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Following a general strike and the blocking of transport routes across the country, the Armenian majority party has agreed to elect opposition protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as the country's new prime minister. The parliament had rejected his leadership on Tuesday. Commentators stress that the appointment of a new prime minister cannot replace new elections and continue to observe how Russia reacts to the crisis.

Israel has accused Iran of lying when it signed the nuclear agreement and of secretly keeping research findings on building a nuclear bomb. Prime Minister Netanyahu has presented what he claims are secret service documents to this effect. Commentators are unconvinced and ask what the Israeli leader hopes to achieve with his revelations.

The Basque separatist organisation Eta has announced its full dissolution. During the almost 60 years of its struggle against the Spanish central government around 850 people were killed. In the view of commentators, however, the violent and ideological struggle continues.

On Tuesday 15 May, the European Commission and the European External Action Service will present their Action Plan on Military Mobility to the Subcommittee of Security and Defence. Facilitating the movement of troops across the continent is a vital for Europe's defence and Members will discuss the measures proposed such as the development of common military requirements and the infrastructure policies that will have to be implemented.
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will take place on 15 May, 9:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:00 in Brussels.

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Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP