"Without a Palestinian state, there will be no peace for Israel," said the head of EU foreign policy.
Barcelona, Monday, 27 November 2023
(Pic by: Wikipedia)
There will be "no peace or security for Israel" in the absence of a Palestinian state, the head of EU foreign policy declared on Monday.
Josep Borrell delivered the speech in Barcelona during the Union for the Mediterranean's (UfM) eighth ministerial conference, which got underway on Monday and is being attended by representatives of almost forty countries to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and provide the framework for future peace.
"In the history of the most serious conflicts, there is always a moment when the darkness of the situation can only lead to a horizon of peace," Borrell remarked during his speech at the forum. Beyond the initial shocks and feelings, I firmly believe that both peoples are dedicated to achieving peace.
"Hamas is more than merely an organisation, according to the Palestinian group. It is an ideology, an idea. Furthermore, until you can demonstrate that you have a superior thought, you cannot destroy one. Borrell stated, "Palestinians require a legitimate political prospect for statehood in order to defeat the ideology of Hamas."
They will have to split the land as they both have equal and rightful claims to it. That's what we have to help them agree on. They won't be able to do it by themselves, he claimed.
The chief EU envoy further expressed his "appallled" dismay at the Israeli government's intentions to allocate additional cash for the construction of new illegal settlements. He referred to these settlements as a serious violation of international law and "Israel's greatest security liability."
According to international law, all Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is prohibited since they are occupied territories.
Jose Manuel Albares, the foreign minister of Spain, presented a framework during the meeting that he believed all of the participating member states could agree with. It includes putting an end to the killing and making sure that after hostilities end, the Gaza Strip is returned to the Palestinian Authority.
The goal, according to Albares, is to have final peace negotiations "as soon as possible so the international community can back the agenda."
The necessity of steady and ongoing humanitarian relief shipments to Gaza was another topic of discussion among the Mediterranean group's members. "Under international humanitarian law, all parties are bound to facilitate this," stated Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the EU emphasised the necessity of a two-state solution in their opening statements.
"We have to make an effort to get past this crisis and work towards a real, realistic peace proposal. Speaking on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud declared, "There is no sustainable alternative to reviving the two-state solution."
Later on X, Albares from Spain stated that on Monday, "a strong message of peace and hope" emerged from Barcelona.
"(A message) To put an end to this tragedy that must never be repeated, and for definitive peace in the Middle East," he continued.
Ayman Safadi, the foreign minister of Jordan, stated, "We are not taking sides by choosing peace." The peace we want must take into account Israel's justifiable concerns as well as the Palestinian people's right to independence and statehood.
"We reached consensus on several tenets and shared interests, such as adhering to global legal norms and providing humanitarian assistance," stated Safadi. "We came together to have a conversation; we did not come here expecting to reach a consensus on everything."
Safadi stated that although there were still disagreements, the organisation might publish a chair summary on Monday afternoon.
"A just and lasting peace for Palestine, Israel, and the entire region, based on the two-state solution, is the only way to achieve real and effective regional integration and cooperation," stated Nasser Kamel, secretary general of the Union for the Mediterranean.
At the close of the meeting, Kamel declared that all participating countries denounced the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. After that attack, Israel bombarded the Gaza Strip for more than 40 days; however, this bombardment is been halted for four days in order to exchange hostages and provide Gaza with much-needed relief.
Following the Oslo Accords, the Union for the Mediterranean was established fifteen years ago with the goal of promoting prosperity and shared peace throughout the Mediterranean region.
One of the original members of the group, Israel, did not send a representative to the meeting on Monday. There was no united statement made public.
(Written and edited by The Decision Maker - International Relations editors)