Brussels, 24/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 23 September, the director of operations from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza, Robert Turner, called on the European Union to do more for the Palestinians and not just take action from a financial point of view. “Europe must not only be a piggy bank, but have a practical role”, Turner told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee. He therefore wanted the new EU member states, which in his view have recent experience in public service reform, to help the Palestinians reform their public service. “This is a concrete way to help stability in Gaza”, he said. “The EU has its role to play - an important role. It's not up to the international community to take the lead, but it's up to the Palestinians to decide and then to come to us to help them”, Turner stated.
In Turner's view, the EU could be more active in the face of Israel's occupation. “Europe should certainly be more active. The occupation goes on because it costs virtually nothing [to Israel]. The cost is paid by the Palestinians and by the European taxpayer - and this will change when there is a cost” for Israel, he stated. The EU is currently an important trading partner for Israel.
Turner stated that the Palestinian Authority (PA) needed a great deal of help - because, in his opinion, it is up to the PA to act. “Each group must play its role. Hamas must stand aside and let the government of national unity take the power in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority must demonstrate resolve. Israel must - at the least - move aside, and let the government take control of Gaza. And the international community must help this government take the power”, he said. “This needs to be understood right now. The ball is in the Palestinian Authority's court. It's up to the Palestinian Authority to take concrete measures”, he added. “If the four parties don't move, we'll have a rapid return to violence”, he warned. Turner stated that the problems that existed before July still exist.
The same day, the Palestinian and Israeli negotiators reportedly agreed to continue their indirect talks during the last week of October for a lasting truce. (CG)