EU demands clarifications from Israel about seizure of Palestinian aid

Senior European Union officials demanded Israel to explain why its soldiers seized a truckload of humanitarian aid intended for Palestinians, for the event that occurred Friday in the West Bank, saying they deplored the confiscation. Israeli soldiers manhandled European diplomats on Friday and seized tents and emergency aid they had been trying to deliver to Palestinians whose homes were demolished this week. "EU representatives have already contacted the Israeli authorities to demand an explanation and expressed their concern at the incident," a statement issued by the spokesmen for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said. Relations between Israel and the EU have been strained over the EU's decision, announced in July, to bar financial assistance to Israeli organizations operating in the occupied territories from next year.