European Union foreign ministers in Brussels emphasized the importance of achieving a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians on Monday, following the conflict in Gaza. They held discussions with top diplomats from both sides and key Arab states.
EU foreign ministers on Monday pressed Israel for an eventual two-state solution with the Palestinians after the war in Gaza, at meetings with the top diplomats from the two sides and key Arab states in Brussels.
While the bloodshed appears to have driven a long-term solution further out of sight, EU officials insist now is the time to talk about finally resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The 27 EU ministers met first with Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz before sitting down separately with the Palestinian Authority’s top diplomat, Riyad al-Maliki.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia also held talks with the European ministers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and defied its key backer, the United States, by rejecting calls for a Palestinian state.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the “humanitarian situation could not be worse” in Gaza.
He told Israel that “peace and stability cannot be built only by military means.”
“Which are the other solutions they have in mind? To make all the Palestinians leave? To kill them off?” Borrell said.
‘Only Solution’
Katz ignored questions from journalists over a future two-state solution and said Israel was focused on returning the hostages and ensuring its security.
Maliki demanded the EU call for a ceasefire immediately and urged the bloc to consider sanctions against Netanyahu for “destroying the chances for a two-state solution.”
“Every day that … we show hesitancy, people are being killed,” he said.
The EU has struggled for a united stance on the conflict in Gaza, as staunch backers of Israel such as Germany have rejected demands for an immediate ceasefire made by the likes of Spain and Ireland.
But there is overall backing in the bloc for a two-state solution.
“The two-state solution is the only solution, and even those who don’t want to know about it have not yet come up with any other alternative,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Borrell circulated what he called a “comprehensive approach” towards finding peace, involving having the international community hold a conference that would come up with a plan to be put to both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The document said the international community should then eventually “set out the consequences they envisage to attach to engagement or non-engagement with the peace plan” by either side.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
