Brussels, 18/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 18 March, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini congratulated Benyamin Netanyahu for his victory in the Israeli general elections on Tuesday and welcomed the forming of a new government. She highlighted the need to relaunch the peace process, despite the fact that at the end of his election campaign, Netanyahu had said that if he remained in his post, the creation of a Palestinian state would not take place.
Mogherini said, “The EU is committed to working with the incoming Israeli government on a mutually beneficial relationship as well as on the re-launch of the peace process”. She stressed that, “More than ever, bold leadership is required from all to reach a comprehensive, stable and viable settlement of the conflict”. She added, “I'm confident that we can work together with the international community for a solution”. Mogherini explained that the conflict “has already deprived too many generations of peace and security. It's time to turn this page…”
Mogherini affirmed “We are at a crucial moment, with many threats all over the Middle East” and explained that the EU staunchly supports a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in the interest of the Israeli people, of the Palestinian people and of the whole region and that “We are at your side, you can count on us”
Victor Boºtinaru, the vice president of the S&D group at the European Parliament, warned that the relaunch of the peace process and a two-state solution should “be a priority for all future Israeli governments and it is the only solution for ensuring the security and prosperity of Israeli and Palestinian citizens. Any other development would have a direct impact on relations between the EU and Israel.”
According to the results of the electoral committee, following the count of almost all the votes cast, Netanyahu's Likud Party won 23.26% of the vote, as opposed to 18.73% by the Zionist Union Party led by Isaac Herzog. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)