The European Parliament adopted by 291 votes to 274
against with 39 abstentions a resolution on EU policy on the West
Bank and East Jerusalem.
The text adopted in plenary had been tabled by the
S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.
It reiterates its strong support for the two-state
solution on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as
capital of both states, and with the State of Israel with
secure and recognised borders and an independent, democratic,
contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in
peace and security. It welcomes the Council conclusions on the
Middle East Peace Process of 14 May 2012 which include
conclusions on the West Bank and East Jerusalem and
reiterates that the EU will not recognise any changes to the
pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than
those agreed by the parties.
Parliament stresses that ending the conflict is a
fundamental interest of the EU, as well as of the parties
themselves and the wider region, and that this can be achieved
through a comprehensive peace agreement, based on (i) the relevant
UN Security Council resolutions, (ii) the Madrid Principles
including land for peace, (iii) the Roadmap, (iv) the agreements
previously reached by the parties and the Arab Peace
Initiative.
Members note that the EU, as the largest donor to the
Palestinian Authority and one of Israels major trading
partners has instruments at its disposal to more actively
encourage both parties to work towards a solution. They call on
both parties to work together with the EU, which should pursue all
efforts to resolve the conflict. They stress that direct
negotiations leading to a two-state solution between Israelis and
Palestinians should be resumed without delay and according to
the deadlines called for by the Quartet, in order to overcome the
unacceptable status quo. In this context, Parliament welcomes the
exchange of letters between the parties initiated on 17 April 2012
and the joint statement by Israel and the PA of 12 May
2012.
It expresses its deepest concern about developments
on the ground in Area C in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem,
as described in the EU Heads of Mission reports on Area C and
Palestinian State Building of July 2011 and on East Jerusalem
of January 2012, which confirmed once more alarming and potentially
irreversible developments on the ground in the areas concerned.
Members stress the importance of protecting the Palestinian
population and its rights in Area C and in East Jerusalem, which is
essential for keeping the viability of the two-state solution
alive. T
They reiterate that all settlements remain illegal
under international law and call on the Israeli Government to
stop all construction and extension of settlements in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem and to dismantle all outposts erected since
March 2001. The resolution strongly condemns all acts
extremism, violence and harassment committed by settlers against
Palestinian civilians and calls on the Israeli Government and
authorities to bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice and
hold them accountable.
Parliament also calls for full and effective
implementation of existing EU legislation and EU-Israel bilateral
agreements to ensure that the EU control mechanism the
technical arrangements does not allow Israeli
settlement products to be imported to the European market under the
preferential terms of the EU-Israel Association
Agreement.
It calls on the Israeli Government and authorities
to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law,
in particular by:
·
securing an immediate end to house
demolitions, evictions and forced
displacement of Palestinians;
·
facilitating Palestinian planning and building
activities and the implementation of Palestinian developments
projects;
·
facilitating access and movement;
·
facilitating the access of Palestinians to
farming and grazing locations;
·
ensuring a fair distribution of water meeting
the needs of the Palestinian population;
·
improving access of the Palestinian population
to adequate social services and assistance, in particular in the
fields of education and public health, and
·
facilitating humanitarian operations in Area C
and in East Jerusalem.
Parliament calls on the Council, and the Commission
and EEAS to:
·
continue to deliver assistance to Palestinian
institutions and development projects in Area C and in East
Jerusalem with the aim of protecting and strengthening the
Palestinian population, stressing that Israel must put an end to
the practice of withholding customs and tax revenues belonging to
the Palestinian Authority;
·
verify on the ground all allegations concerning
the destruction of and damage caused to EU-funded structures and
projects in the occupied territory, and submit the results to
Parliament;
·
continue to address these issues at all levels
in the EUs bilateral relations with Israel and the
Palestinian Authority, stressing that Israels commitment to
respect its obligations under international human rights and
humanitarian law towards the Palestinian population must be taken
into full consideration in the EUs bilateral relations
with the country;
Parliament wants the EU and Member States again to
play a more active political role, including within the Quartet, in
the efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace between
Israelis and Palestinians.
It goes on to call for:
·
an end to the administrative detention without
formal charge or trial of Palestinians by Israeli authorities, for
access to a fair trial for all Palestinian detainees, and for the
release of Palestinian political prisoners, with special regard for
members of the Palestinian Legislative Council;
·
the protection of the Bedouin communities of the
West Bank and in the Negev, and for their rights to be fully
respected by the Israeli authorities, condemning any violations
(e.g. house demolitions, forced displacements, public service
limitations); calls also, in this context, for the withdrawal of
the Prawer Plan by the Israeli Government;
·
the immediate, sustained and unconditional
lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip in terms of persons,
the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, and for steps
allowing for the reconstruction and economic recovery of this
area;
·
an effective control mechanism preventing the
smuggling of arms into Gaza;
·
Hamas to recognise the State of
Israel and to give its support to the
two-state solution, and put an end to the violence perpetrated both
internally and externally against the State of Israel.
Parliament takes note of the decision of the Council
to extend the mandate of the European Border Assistance Mission
Rafah until 30 June 2013 and expects it to fulfil its tasks and
play a decisive and effective role as regards the daily management
of cross-border relations and the build-up of confidence between
Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
It stresses again that peaceful and non-violent means
are the only way to achieve a sustainable solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and supports President Abbas
policy of non-violent resistance and to encourage intra-Palestinian
reconciliation and Palestinian state-building.
Lastly, Parliament reiterates its strong commitment to
the security of the State of Israel, and condemns any act of
violence by any party deliberately attacking civilians, and is
appalled by the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.