The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, reiterated on Monday 23 May that peace was the “only possible way” in the Middle East.
“The European Parliament firmly supports the Middle East peace process. We support a two-state solution, with the secure State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security”, she explained in a speech to the Knesset, adding that Europe would always back Israel’s right to exist.
The president acknowledged that “peace is difficult” but said it is “possible”. She stated that, peace must mean “living with differences in the mutual respect that coexistence requires. It must mean justice. It must mean equality of opportunity. It must mean parents who can see a future for their children”.
Although the region has seen a resurgence of violence in recent weeks, Ms Metsola was optimistic that progress in the peace talks “is possible”.
“The Abraham Accords may well have seemed inconceivable only a short while ago, but they proved that history does not always have to be repeated. That the cycle can indeed be broken”, she explained. The President of the European Parliament promised that her institution will always be a strong ally in the search for a way forward and in the quest for peace, and that all the resources at its disposal will be made available for that aim.
Ms Metsola also emphasised that violence is not the answer. She warned that “those who preach violence do not have the answers”. She added: “Terrorism is never justified. There are no excuses for terror”.
She also returned to the issue of rising antisemitism. “To be antisemitic is to be anti-European”, she warned, explaining that the European Parliament would not waver in its fight against antisemitism. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)