The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and the European foreign ministers called, on Monday 22 January, for the resumption of political dialogue with a view to a two-state solution.
During their EU Council meeting in Brussels, the High Representative and the ministers held talks on the political process with the Foreign Ministers of Israel, Israel Katz, Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, and Jordan, Ayman Safadi, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the Palestinian Minister Riyad al-Maliki.
“The priority is to provide support to people in an extremely difficult situation, to try to stop the military activities, the bombings, in order to provide more humanitarian aid and free hostages (...) This must not prevent us from working on a long-term, medium-term solution, but by starting now on the preparation of a peace conference (...) to resolve the conflict, the root causes and seek a solution”, Mr Borrell summarised.
The day before, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu had said he was opposed to a two-state solution. “The two-state solution is the only solution, and even those who don’t want it haven’t yet found another alternative”, stressed Annalena Baerbock from Germany. Her Irish counterpart, Micheál Martin, warned that “Mr Netanyahu (must) listen to the vast majority of the world who want peace and who want a two-state solution. (...) There is no other alternative on the table to a two-state solution that is sustainable and guarantees lasting peace in the future”.
A plan for a two-state solution
Ministers discussed the High Representative’s 12-point plan on a comprehensive approach to a ‘two-state solution’ process.
“What we want is to build a two-state solution, so let’s talk about it (...) If we are serious about that, we have to study the underling causes that prevent this solution from being implemented”, explained Mr Borrell.
His proposal is based on the initiative he launched in September in New York.
His new plan outlines a series of measures that could eventually bring peace to the Gaza Strip, establish an independent Palestinian state, normalise relations between Israel and the Arab world and guarantee long-term security in the region, according to Euractiv, which has seen the document.
Mr Borrell is proposing a ‘preparatory peace conference’ with the EU, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Arab League and the United Nations. The participants would be in contact with Israelis and Palestinians, but these two would not be obliged to sit together. The peace conference would have one year to devise the framework for a peace plan. This will have to take account of the comments of all the parties involved, the UN resolutions, the conclusions of the European Council and previous mediation efforts. It would then be presented to the parties to the conflict, who would be consulted during its preparation, and should serve as a basis for peace negotiations. “There is no point in holding peace conferences again if no one is present and if Israel feels it is being judged”, Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel has already warned.
Mr Borrell added that the plan should provide security assurances for the Israeli state and the future state of Palestine. “We need to put in place a security architecture for the wider region under the auspices of international organisations”, said Greek minister Giorgios Gerapetritis, adding that action needed to be taken quickly.
The European proposal would not be the only one on the table; the Arab countries and the United States, respectively, would also be working from their side. The Austrian Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, also advocated very strong coordination and consultation with the United States, suggesting that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, should attend or take part in the next EU Council meeting by videoconference. “It’s obvious that we're groping our way forward, the process will be long and any initiative is welcome”, acknowledged Mr Borrell.
Asked about a possible Israeli refusal, the High Representative explained that “if the international community (managed) to put together a solution, it would (propose) it and, if it was not (agreed), there (would be) levers to influence” a decision.
Taking a tougher line with Israel
Arab leaders, for their part, called for a firm stance against Israel. “The whole world is saying the only way out of this misery is the two-state solution. So the party who’s standing against the rights of all peoples of the region, including Israelis to have peace, cannot just be left unaccountable. It is time for the world to stand up for peace and take action against the party that denies the right of peoples to live in peace and security”, said the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Hussein Abdullah Al Safadi.
The Palestinian minister, Riyad Al-Malki, has called on the EU to act. “I expect the EU to start considering sanctions against Netanyahu and others who are really destroying the chances of a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East”, he stressed on his arrival, stating that the EU had a responsibility, “at a time when courage and determination” are needed. “We need to take a stand. Otherwise, what we have been saying for a long time about double standards will be clearly demonstrated”, warned the Minister (see EUROPE 13141/19, 13140/5).
Red Sea
Mr Borrell also announced that the ministers had agreed in principle to the establishment of a CSDP mission in the Red Sea to ensure safe navigation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)