PARIS — Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohem spoke on the phone Monday with European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell, criticizing his statements on Israeli-Palestinian West Bank escalation and the EU's alleged interference in Israel’s internal affairs, namely the government’s judicial overhaul plan.

A statement issued by Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Cohen slammed Borrell over statements comparing the killing of Palestinian assailants in IDF anti-terror operations with the murder of Israeli civilians in terror acts. Cohen said, "The interference by the EU in Israel’s internal politics and the financing of Palestinian operations encouraging incitement and the payments to families of terrorists must stop."

The conversation, which was initiated by Cohen, took place only hours before a debate at the European Parliament scheduled for Tuesday evening. For the first time, the European Parliament will discuss the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s efforts to limit the judiciary’s powers. The announcement of the scheduled debate, made last Friday, criticized Israel’s police. It read, "With protests growing, including from members of Israel’s cultural sphere, hi-tech sector, economists and people linked to the military and intelligence community, Israeli security forces have occasionally used stun grenades and water cannons to disperse demonstrators." It also noted that Borrell will join the parliamentarian debate in Strasbourg.

Israel appears is increasingly worried over European leaders expressing their concerns over the judicial overhaul plan, and for good reason.