News

MEPs call for end to conflict between Israelis and Palestinians

06-07-2012

 

Ending the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians would further not only their own vital interests, but those of the wider region and the EU too, said MEPs in a European Parliament plenary session on 5 July. In a resolution (passed with 291 votes in favour, 274 against and 39 abstentions) calling on both parties to resume talks on a two-state solution without delay, the European Parliaments also calls on the Israeli government to stop all construction and extension of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which the EU views as illegal.
 
MEPs welcomed the exchange of letters between the two parties initiated on 17 April 2012 and the joint statement by Israel and the Palestinian Authority of 12 May 2012, in which they state their commitment to achieving peace. However, MEPs also expressed grave concerns about developments in Area C of the West Bank and in East Jerusalem.
 
Inter alia, the resolution calls on Israel to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law by securing an immediate end to house demolitions, evictions and forced displacement of Palestinians, facilitating their free movement, ensuring fair distribution of water to meet their needs and improving their access to social services, in particular education and public health, in Area C and in East Jerusalem. The Palestinian authorities are also encouraged to do more to improve living conditions in the two areas.
 
MEPs also urged the EU and its member states to play a more active political role in achieving a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians and voiced support for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton's efforts to create credible prospects for relaunching the peace process. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
 
Read more
 
Press release
 
EU Neighbourhood Policy Info Centre - European Commission President Barroso to visit Israel and occupied Palestinian territory
 
EU Neighbourhood Policy Info Centre – Israel
 
EU Neighbourhood Policy Info Centre – Occupied Palestinian territory 

 


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