The European Union said today it deplored the fact that the United Nations had been forced to call off a fact-finding mission into Israel's assault on the Jenin refugee camp.
Israel initially supported an international probe to clarify events in Jenin but later decided not to let in the UN mission, which UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan cancelled on Thursday.
Palestinians accused Israel of a massacre in Jenin during fierce fighting there last month. Israel denies the allegations and says it did what it could to avoid civilian casualties.
"The EU deplores the fact that following the Israeli government's announcement of April 30th the (UN) team is unable to go to the region and begin its mission," Spain's UN ambassador, Mr Inocencio Arias, told the Security Council on behalf of the EU. Spain currently holds the EU presidency.
Israel says it has nothing to hide, but in the words of the UN Secretary-General, the long shadow cast by the recent events in the Jenin refugee camp will remain if there is no investigation, a statement quoted him as saying.
The EU said Israel caused unprecedented damage to the Palestinian infrastructure - partially paid for by the EU - and private property that had no relevance to security and can in no way be justified by Israel's legitimate fight against terrorism .
Spain also said Mr Arias told the Security Council the 15-nation EU reserves the right to demand compensation in the appropriate forum .
The EU called for Israel to give humanitarian organisations free access to the Palestinian territories and comply with UN resolutions demanding a withdrawal from Palestinian territories, the statement said.