Israel suspends EU role in stalled peace process

Europe downplays requirement of food labeling, saying action could be lifted soon

Israel said on Sunday it was suspending contacts with European Union bodies involved in peace efforts with the state of Palestine after the bloc started requiring the labeling of exports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Foreign Ministry to carry out "a reassessment of the involvement of EU bodies in everything that is connected to the diplomatic process with the Palestinians", a ministry statement said.