BRUSSELS, March 02 , SPA --The European Union on Sundaycondemned what it called «disproportionate use of force»by the Israeli military in Gaza after 54 Palestinians werekilled in the highest single day toll since fightingerupted in 2000, AP reported. In a statement, the EU urged Israel to halt activitiesthat endanger civilians saying they were «contrary tointernational law.» It also called for an immediate end to Palestinian rocketattacks on Israeli territory and insisted that the peaceprocess should not be interrupted. «The (EU) presidency condemns the recent disproportionateuse of force by the Israeli Defense Forces againstPalestinian population in Gaza and urges Israel to exercisemaximum restraint and refrain from all activities thatendanger civilians. Such activities are contrary tointernational law,» said the statement issued by theSlovene government on behalf of the EU. Slovenia currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. «The Presidency rejects collective punishment of thepeople of Gaza. We are deeply worried about the sufferingof the civilian population on Israeli and Palestinianside,» the EU added. «We have stated too many times thatboth Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace andsecurity.» --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/532343