European Union: Israel Will Not Get Peace Without Palestinian Countries

JAKARTA - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said without Palestinian countries, there would never be peace or security for Israel.

"In the history of major conflicts, there is always momentum when the darkness of the situation leads to the peace horizon. I believe that beyond these shocks and emotions, the two nations are committed to peace," Borrell said at a meeting of ministers at the Mediterranean Union (UfM). ) at Barcelona reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, November 27.

The meeting, which was attended by representatives from around 40 countries, aims to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and prepare for peace in the future.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares compiled a framework that he hopes can be approved by all member states present.

The framework proposed by Albares includes efforts to end the bloodshed and ensure the Gaza Strip is handed back to the Palestinian Authority when the war in Gaza ends.

"Hamas is more than just an organization, but an idea, an ideology. And you can't turn off an idea unless you can prove that you have better ideas. To beat Hamas ideology, Palestine needs credible political prospects to become a country," Borrell said.

Albares hopes that definite peace negotiations can be held soon so that the international community can support the agenda.

"Because the two nations have equal and legal rights to the land, they must share (the land). We need to help them agree to it. Alone, they will not be able to," said Borrell.

Borrell later expressed surprise that the Israeli government plans to fund the construction of a new illegal settlement.

According to him, illegal settlements are "Israel's biggest security responsibility" and constitute a gross violation of international law.

In its opening speech, EU foreign ministers, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan argued the need for a two-state solution.

"We must try to overcome the current crisis and move towards a credible and serious peace plan. There is no sustainable alternative but to revive the two-state solution," said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, speaking on behalf of Saudi Arabia, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League.

Meanwhile, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized his choice of peace which meant his country was not in favor.

"The peace we seek must fulfill the rights of Palestinians to freedom and state, and must be able to answer Israeli legitimacy issues," Safadi said.

UfM was founded 15 years ago after the Oslo Agreement with the spirit of peace and mutual prosperity for the Mediterranean region.

"Currently the reality is clear, that achieving real and effective regional integration and cooperation can only be achieved through fair and lasting peace for Palestine, Israel, and the entire region, based on a two-state solution," said UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel.

Israel, one of the founding members of UfM, did not send representatives to the meeting that took place that Monday.