Diplomatic action is being taken by the European Union to revive the peace process in the Middle East and salvage the “Road Map”. In the space of a few days, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis sharpened: the resignation of Palestinian premier Abu Mazen and his replacement by Abu Ala were followed by the threats of the government of Tel Aviv to expel or even kill Arafat, the inclusion of Hamas in the European list of terrorist movements, the breaking of the truce and the consequent resumption of Palestinian kamikaze attacks, on the one hand, and Israeli military occupation of the territories, on the other. The EU High Representative for foreign policy and common security, Javier Solana, acting as mouthpiece of the EU, brought a double message: the EU asks Palestinian premier designate Abu Ala to “form the new government as soon as possible and make every effort to crack down on terrorism”; as for Israel and its threats to expel Arafat, Solana declared he not “believe this would happen”. Meanwhile, the Italian Presidency has issued a statement, urging “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and respect for the commitments assumed with the Road Map
