Brussels, 22/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 March, Palestine's Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki called on Europeans to move on to action so that Israel might stop its “occupation” of Palestine.
“Israel does not listen to words. It's important to move on to action, then Israel will be able to realise that it cannot take advantage of occupation”, he said at a hearing at the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee. “Some parties say that if Europe labels products from the settlements, it is indirectly boycotting Israel. We urge you not to fall for this talk. We are not calling for a boycott of Israel but the settlements, which are illegal, which (…) undermine a two-state solution”, he added.
The minister underlined the need for “multilateral action” to be able to “save” the two-state solution. “We need commitment from the international community”, he said. In his view, “international protection is needed more than anything. We cannot allow this situation to continue. It risks turning into chaos that no one will be able to control any longer”.
Al-Malki hailed the French initiative. “Since March 2014 [and the failed initiative of US Secretary of State John Kerry] nothing has happened. France has had the courage to take a step forwards”, he said, adding that Palestine was working closely with the French on the idea of organising an international conference for peace. “It's the only initiative in sight. If it fails, what will happen?” he asked.
The Palestinian foreign minister also wanted the EU to play a role in the peace process, believing that Israel was against the EU's participation. “We have always asked for a role to be played by the Europeans, for the EU not only to be a fund provider but for it also to be an actor”, he said. He added that the Middle East is “at the gates of Europe”. “We need Europe. It's important for Europe always to be involved”, he said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)