Summary: July 27, 2005: EU Presidency Statement by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom, on behalf of the European Union, to the Economic and Social Council on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan (New York)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union under item 11 on the draft resolution on "Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan".
The acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well Ukraine as align themselves with this statement.
The European Union expresses deep concern at the continuing humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and calls on the Israeli Government, in line with international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1544 to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and to take urgent action to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.
The European Union calls on the Government of Israel to ease the plight of the Palestinian people through immediate actions. The Union underlines that action is particularly needed on the Israeli side to facilitate movement of Palestinian people and goods, as well as access by international humanitarian organisations into the Territories so as to improve the humanitarian situation and normalise the daily life of the Palestinian people.
The European Union expresses its grave concern at the recent escalation in violence in Israel and the Occupied Territories. The Union condemns unreservedly the recent terrorist attacks on Israel that have resulted in a number of Israeli fatalities and injuries. The Union also condemns violence by Palestinian militants against Palestinian security personnel. While having repeatedly condemned terrorist atrocities against Israelis and recognising Israel's right to protect its citizens against
terrorist attacks, the European Union has consistently opposed extra-judicial killings which are contrary to international law. The Union emphasises that Palestinians and Israelis must not return to the cycle of violence that has been characteristic of recent years. It urges Israel to exercise maximum self-restraint and the Palestinian Authority to take immediate and effective action against those involved in attacks.
While the European Union recognises the right of Israel to protect its citizens from attacks, it remains concerned by the continuing construction of the separation barrier in the Occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, which is contrary to the relevant provisions of international law. The Union expresses its concern about the Israeli Cabinet decision on 10 July to immediately complete the separation barrier in and around East Jerusalem.
The European Union stresses the need for Israel to stop and reverse its settlement activities in the Palestinian Territories. Settlement policy threatens to make a solution based on the co-existence of two States physically impossible. No party should take unilateral measures which might prejudice the outcome of negotiations on the final settlement. The European Union will not recognise any change to the pre-1967 borders other than those arrived at by agreement between the parties.
The European Union recalls its support for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank, in line with the framework outlined in the conclusions of the European Council of March 2004 and as an initial stage towards achieving a fair, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. In the framework of the Quartet, the EU will work with Israel for a complete withdrawal and with the Palestinians to assure security conditions. The European Union urges both sides to
continue to coordinate on disengagement.
The European Union welcomes the work of Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement James Wolfensohn in his work to support economic regeneration and further Palestinian governance reform.
In 2005, as in previous years, the European Community is set to provide €250million in financial assistance to the Palestinians. In addition, it has made significant contributions to the Rapid Action Programme of the Quartet Special Envoy for disengagement, and it is in the process of preparing a €40million Infrastructure Facility aimed at addressing a number of key Palestinian needs, with a particular focus on Gaza in light of the forthcoming withdrawal. The European Commission, in
co-operation with the International Monetary Fund is considering the customs requirements of the Palestinian Authority in anticipation of withdrawal, and a first meeting of the Commission-sponsored Ad hoc trilateral working group (Israel/PA/EC) on trade is scheduled to take place on 27 July.
The European Union reaffirms its view that the way to achieve a permanent peace is a viable two-state solution achieved through the full implementation by both parties of their commitments under the Roadmap.
Finally, the European Union reaffirms its conviction that a just and durable solution in the peace process can only be achieved through negotiations between the parties and the support of the international community. Violence and terror have no place in the search for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. A political perspective is essential to the peace process.
*Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process
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