CBNNew.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - Israeli Foreign Ministry officials learned that Egypt instructed its ambassadors in major European capitals to recommend rejecting a new Israeli proposal involving trade and technology exchange.

When Israel confronted Cairo, the Egyptians denied their efforts to convince European governments that Israel's economic blockade of the Gaza Strip and construction in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) were reason enough to thwart Israeli trade in Europe.

Some Israeli officials said Cairo's anti-Israel campaign in Europe came from a decision by the US Congress to freeze $200 million in military aid because of Egypt's unwillingness to stop arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip.

Israel has been working to improve its ties with EU member nations, with an eye to becoming a senior European partner.

In addition to Egyptian diplomatic efforts to harm Israel, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad sent a letter to OECD asking that they reconsider an invitation for Israel to join the organization.

Fayyad based his request on Israel's counter-terror operations in Judea and Samaria and construction in Jewish communities there.

Source: Haaretz