The European Union could ask Israel to pay for the damage its forces have inflicted on Palestinian projects funded by EU taxpayers, according to the French government.
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EU foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana (L) with Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon (R) in Jerusalem earlier this month. Photography: Reuters
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A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mr Bernard Valero, said the issue of compensation would be considered by foreign ministers of the 15-nation bloc at their next meeting at the end of January.
He said an approach could be made to the Israeli authorities very soon.
The European Commission has estimated that Israeli forces have wreaked damage worth €14.5 million to EU-funded Palestinian projects in ground and air attacks conducted against the Palestinians.
The EU is the Palestinian Authority's main financial donor.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, has defended the targeting of Palestinian Authority buildings and facilities as a response to the killing of Israelis by Palestinian militants.
French Foreign Minister Mr Hubert Vedrine said the attacks were part of a mistaken strategy to undermine President Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority.
He appealed to both sides to find a political solution to the violence that has raged since the start of a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.