Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
European statements and statements in the recent period were keen to describe the events of October 7 as a terrorist act, and they refer to the armed operation carried out by elements affiliated with the Palestinian Hamas organization, but the recent statement issued in Brussels to welcome the exchange that took place of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons referred to The events of October 7th are a horrific act, and the word terrorist act or attack was not used. The statement issued by the office of European Foreign Policy Coordinator Josep Borrell added, “The agreement stipulates the release of a group of innocent women and children who were kidnapped during the horrific attack launched by Hamas on October 7.” October All hostages should be released unconditionally No one should compromise the lives of civilians.
While the agreement allows limited access to food, water, medicine and fuel for the besieged residents of Gaza, the European Union stresses that humanitarian aid must reach civilians in Gaza without any conditions. In the wake of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, more than a million people have fled their homes, with nowhere to go. At the same time, the unlimited expansion of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is unacceptable, as expressed by the G7 foreign ministers.
The European Union has clearly stated that Israel's right to self-defense must be consistent with international law, including humanitarian law. The European Union regrets the large number of civilian casualties, especially thousands of children and women. The United Nations and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court have stated that compliance with international law is not merely a moral imperative. The protection of civilians, unhindered access to basic services, and respect for protected sites such as hospitals and schools are a legal obligation.
One horror cannot justify another. The current downward spiral must be reversed, for the benefit of both peoples.
Israel's security cannot be guaranteed by military means alone. For the European Union, the only path to peace, security and sustainable prosperity for both Israel and Palestine is a two-state solution.
It is the duty of the international community to participate seriously to achieve this. The Peace Day Efforts initiative launched by the European Union and a number of Arab countries in September at the United Nations sets out initial steps in this direction.
The European Union will co-chair a ministerial meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona on Monday, November 27, with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. The invitation is addressed to the diplomatic missions of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to participate. The meeting will address the current situation of the conflict and aims to develop a common approach to lasting peace in the Middle East.