EU finally pushes for Palestinian state
The EU reiterated their stance on the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, arguing it’s the only solution in achieving peace in the Middle Eastern region, according to The Independent.
The bloc’s comment come shortly after Netanyahu’s phone call with President Biden when the Israeli head said to his counterpart that he is completely against the right to self-determination for Palestine.
His remarks have led to condemnation from a key Israeli ally, Great Britain, who left the European Union a few years after a referendum in June 2016 which saw voters rejecting the country’s membership withing the bloc.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps clarified the UK’s stance on the matter and said, “I think it’s disappointing to hear Benjamin Netanyahu saying he doesn’t believe in a two-state solution.
“In fairness, he’s said that all of his political career, as far as I can tell. I don’t think we get to a solution unless we have a two-state solution.”
Mr Shapps added that his country “remains wedded” to the idea of establishing a Palestinian state as well as affirming, like numerous cabinet ministers in recent times, that “Israel has a right to defend itself”.
In November, The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell said, “I believe (a two-state solution) is the only viable solution, but it will (only) be viable if the international community backs it. Otherwise, we will see a power vacuum that will be fertile ground for all sorts of violent organisations.”
READ: Netanyahu tells Biden “no sovereign Palestinian state”
During a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of EU countries, Israel and Palestine in Brussels to discuss the Gaza crisis, the vast majority of diplomats called for Palestinian statehood.
Notably, when asked about the question of recognising a Palestinian state, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz ducked the question. He also held pictures of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 and argued that he only attended the talks to reiterate the “need “ for Israel to completely dismantle the Gaza-controlling group.
Borell, who chaired the meeting on January 21, noted that he was extremely concerned about Israel position on Gaza and the state of Palestine more generally.
“Which are the other solutions they (Israel) have in mind? To make all the Palestinians leave? To kill off them?” Borell asked.
Despite the EU being the biggest donor of aid to Palestine, it is also Israel’s biggest trading partner with the United States coming a close second.
With regards to the Israeli Prime Minister’s recent remarks, French Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne told reporters in the Belgian capital, “The declarations of Benjamin Netanyahu are worrying. There will be a need for a Palestinian state with security guarantees for all,”
The Belgian minister, Hadja Lahbib said, “We demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, the respect of international law and a return to the peace process, which must lead to the creation of two states living in peace side by side,” as well as arguing a two-state solution is “the only way to establish peace in a durable way in the region.”
The European Union has the Israel-Palestine issue high on their agenda especially since the beginning of October. Amidst calls for a ceasefire amongst the international community, the bloodshed in Gaza has been going on for in excess of three months, over 25,000 have been killed in the enclave, and much to the concern of the world, is still raging on.
The Independent/ Reuters
