Amman - The Jordanian press on Saturday rebuked Israel for rejecting a new European initiative on the Middle East as indicative of the Jewish state's "arrogance" and a strategy that rejects negotiation as a means of resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"Israel's hurry to open fire on the tripartite European initiative reflects a continuation of the pattern of arrogance and the choice of power which has been adopted by the successive Israeli governments," the pro-government daily newspaper al-Rai wrote in an editorial.
Spain, France and Italy on Thursday announced a joint plan for resolving the Middle East conflict, which envisages a total ceasefire, the dispatch of international monitors to the area and the convening of a new international peace conference.
The European proposal, only in its preliminary stages, was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority but rejected by the Israeli government.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Israel did not accept the initiative because it was not coordinated with it in advance, but Spanish diplomatic sources insisted Israel had been informed of the basics of the plan.
"Israel does not want an end to violence because it blocks the job of its army, which is devoted to killing and destruction," al-Rai said.
"The Jewish state also refuses the convening of an international conference because the US monopoly of the Middle East peace brokerage ensures Tel Aviv a wide margin of manoeuvring and relieves it of withdrawal and ending the occupation (of Arab territories) in compliance with international legitimacy resolutions," it added.
Another Jordanian newspaper, the daily Alghad, said in an editorial that Israel's rejection of the European plan "is indicative of an Israeli strategic decision that excludes negotiation as a means for resolving the Palestinian issue and sticks to occupation and annexation of more Arab land".
"Israel does not attach much importance to Europe as long as it is assured of continued American backing," it added.