- European Union foreign ministers say the establishment of a Palestinian state is the only credible way to achieve peace in the Middle East.
- Despite being the world's largest provider of aid to the Palestinians, the EU has little influence over Israel, officials say.
- The EU invited the foreign ministers of Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and Jordan, as well as representatives of the Arab League, to discuss Israel's future plans.
European Union foreign ministers on Monday insisted that the establishment of a Palestinian state is the only credible way to achieve peace in the Middle East, expressing concern over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's clear rejection of the idea. did.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration of a Palestinian state with security for all is worrying,” French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourne told reporters in Brussels, where ministers from around the world met to discuss the Gaza war. will be needed,” he said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz and his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Malki also visited the Belgian capital for talks. Israel is at odds with the United States and its Arab allies over the future of the Gaza Strip, and is trying to broker an end to fighting in the besieged Palestinian territory.
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According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the death toll of Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas has exceeded 25,000. Israel announced Sunday that another hostage taken in the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war has died.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Najib al-Maliki (left) speaks with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council Building in Brussels, January 22, 2024. January 22, 2024 European Union Foreign Ministers met on Monday. Discuss the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool)
The EU is the world's largest donor of aid to the Palestinians, but has little influence over Israel, despite being its largest trading partner. Even among its 27 member states, there is significant disagreement over its approach. But as the death toll in Gaza rises, so do calls for an end to the fighting.
“The situation in Gaza is very dire. There is a risk of starvation. There is a risk of epidemics. The violence must stop,” said Hajja Rahbib, the Belgian foreign minister whose country holds the rotating EU presidency. Ta.
“We demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, respect for international law (and) a return to the peace process, which must lead to the creation of two states living side by side in peace,” Rahib said. . A two-state solution, he said, was “the only way to establish peace in the region in a durable way.”
Israel appears far from achieving its goal of crushing Hamas and releasing the more than 100 remaining hostages. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood and seeks unrestricted military control over Gaza.
The conflict over the future of this territory, with no end in sight, is posing a major obstacle to post-war governance and reconstruction plans.
The EU has invited the foreign ministers of Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and Jordan, as well as representatives of the Arab League, to Monday's talks. Israeli and Palestinian ministers were not scheduled to meet.
European ministers wanted to hear about Israel's future plans.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who chaired the meeting, asked: “What other solutions do they have in mind?” “To get rid of all the Palestinians? To kill them all?”
Borrell condemned the atrocities committed by Hamas, but added that Israel's military actions were “sowing the seeds of hatred for generations.”
The Palestinian Minister said a ceasefire was the most urgent need.
“We must collectively call for a ceasefire. Anything less will not be accepted,” Marchi said.
He also called on the EU to “start considering sanctions against Prime Minister Netanyahu and others who are actually destroying the chances of a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East.”
Spain is pushing for a peace conference to discuss what happens after the fighting ends. A meeting in Brussels is planned for the future, but the timing is still unclear. The plan has the support of some EU member states, but some believe it cannot be realized without Israeli support.
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said: “If Israel does not come to the table, there is no point in holding a peace conference.'' He believes Israel will not be open to talks as long as it believes Hamas poses a danger.
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The Israeli minister declined to respond to questions about the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state. He held up a photo of an Israeli hostage and said he had come to ask for support for Israel's efforts to dismantle Hamas.
“We must regain security. Our brave soldiers are fighting in very difficult conditions,” he told reporters. Katz said the Israeli government's objective was clear: “to bring back the hostages and restore security to the Israeli people.”
Amid rising tensions in the region, ministers also discussed plans for an EU naval mission to help secure maritime traffic on the Red Sea, a key trade route. Belgium has promised to send frigates, and Germany may do the same. Italy is also keen to participate.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for several months with ties to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. U.S. airstrikes hit Iranian-backed Houthi positions seven times, U.S. officials said. British troops also participated in some attacks.
