European Union flags in front of the European Commission building in Brussels. Photo: Amio Cajander via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – European Union (EU) representatives plan to mark international Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 with a photography exhibit from the left-wing organization B’Tselem, whose stated mission is working “to end Israel’s occupation” in the disputed territories, Israel Hayom reported on Tuesday.

The exhibition, titled “50 Years,” will be held in the Israeli port city of Jaffa and includes 50 portraits of Palestinians born in 1967 who are described by B’Tselem as having lived their entire lives under Israel’s “occupation.”

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon blasted the move, saying EU officials “believe the way to Israelis’ hearts is through spitting in their faces.”

“We are again witnessing the same patronizing approach of hypocritical and condescending sermonizing” that pushes people apart instead of bringing them together, Nahshon said.

The controversy comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit EU headquarters in Brussels next week, in what will be the first visit to the Belgian capital by a sitting Israeli prime minister in 60 years.

The annual Human Rights Day marks the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948.