With three weeks to go before the informal meeting of European foreign ministers (Gymnich), the delegation from the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People completed a series of strategic meetings in European capitals with a working breakfast with the ambassadors of the EU Member States meeting within the Political and Security Committee (PSC) on Thursday 7 May.
At the press briefing that followed, Riyad Mansour, Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the UN, reiterated the measures defended in front of the European representatives, namely the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the dismantling of the settlements in application of international law, targeted sanctions against war criminals and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.
The diplomat encouraged Member States not to wait for a European consensus and to act at national level, following the example of Spain, which has reduced its ties with Israel.
Faced with the persistent reticence of certain countries, such as Germany and Austria - whose ambassadors were present at the breakfast - he warned that if Israel’s policy is not stopped, “it will implant resentment and hatred and perpetual war for a long period of time”.
“The officials are lagging behind the population”, he said, pointing out that the citizens’ initiative launched in January by the European Left Alliance to suspend trade with Israel (see EUROPE 13785/14) had passed the million signature mark in less than three months.
After Paris and Brussels, the delegation will travel to Madrid starting this evening to meet the Spanish government and parliament and coordinate political pressure on the EU. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)