The European Union and its Member States expressed their deep concern on Wednesday 8 March about the rise in violence and extremism in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, “which are leading to appalling numbers of Israeli and Palestinian victims, including children”.
“The situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is a great cause for concern”, said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
Since the EU statement was issued, on the night of 8-9 March, three Palestinians were killed in a raid by Israeli armed forces in Jaba, near Jenin. On Tuesday 7 March, Israeli security forces killed six people during a raid in Jenin in search of the person responsible for the deaths of two Israelis. On Monday 6 March, settlers in Huwara again attacked Palestinians (see EUROPE 13131/15).
The High Representative called on Israelis and Palestinians to “ de-escalate the situation” and “refrain from actions that will increase the already high level of tension”.
After the fires in Huwara caused by Israeli settlers, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also in charge of civil affairs in the West Bank within the Ministry of Defence, advocated for the destruction of Huwara. This statement was denounced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Borrell recalled that Israeli settlements - 150 settlements and 100 outposts housing more than 600,000 settlers - were illegal under international law, calling on the Hebrew State to stop their expansion. “Israel must prevent settler violence and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable”, he added, also calling for military operations to be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law (see EUROPE 13128/18).
The EU and its Member States also stated that “there must be an immediate end to terror attacks, which should be condemned by everyone”.
Europeans believe that the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza requires a further easing of restrictions. The blockade of Gaza, a territory of 1.9 million inhabitants, has been in place for 16 years.
And with Ramadan and Passover just around the corner, Mr Borrell said that the status quo of the holy sites must be upheld, in accordance with previous agreements and respecting Jordan’s special role. “Peaceful coexistence between Christians, Jews and Muslims must be maintained”, he warned.
Last year, during Ramadan, violent clashes took place at the Al Aqsa Mosque between Israeli security forces and worshippers.
Welcoming the efforts of the United States, Jordan and Egypt to bring about calm, the High Representative called on all parties to abide “in good faith” by the provisions of the Aqaba communique (see EUROPE 13131/15). Since then, however, Israeli and Palestinian leaders have shown little inclination to comply with the measures identified to facilitate a return to calm.
More broadly, Mr Borrell recalled that it was essential to re-establish a political horizon towards a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine. “Only a negotiated agreement offers a chance of security and peace for all”, he said, adding that there was an urgent need to open up a new perspective for peace. On 13 February, Mr Borrell, the Saudi Foreign Minister and the Secretary-General of the Arab League agreed to relaunch the Arab Peace Initiative (see EUROPE 13120/13).
On Wednesday, during a meeting with journalists, including EUROPE, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who believes in a two-state solution, said that the Arab League initiative needed to be “unfrozen”.
“While we cannot force the parties to make peace, we share a responsibility to prepare the ground. Security, the rule of law and peace in the Middle East, are a priority for the EU and the Member States”, concluded Mr Borrell. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)