The European parliamentary delegation to Palestine has called on the EU and its member states to recognize Palestine as a state to protect and preserve it warning that “the viability of the two-state solution is at a critical juncture” because of Israel’s large-scale settlement expansion.
“The EU and the European Parliament are strongly in favor of a two-state solution as the only way to achieve peace in the Middle East. There cannot be a two-state solution without two states. The EU and its member states must recognize Palestine as a state” Neoklis Sylikiotis head of the delegation urged at the end of a fact-finding mission to Palestine.
“After half a century of occupation it is evident that the policies we have are not working to end this conflict and finally have peace. The international community must now implement UN Security Council Resolution 2334 distinguishing between the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967” Sylikiotis said.
“This Delegation will continue working to ensure the EU steps up its diplomatic efforts effectively implements its labeling guidelines with regard to settlement products and builds a fully-fledged policy of differentiation in all its dealings with Israel respecting international law which is the cornerstone of EU policy in this matter. The EU must not only make statements it must act fully in respect also of our own laws.”
The regularization bill has now made clear Israel’s intent to move to the annexation of parts of Palestine the delegation noted stating its strong opposition to the expansion of settlements and demolitions.
“Settlement building and expansion are increasing exponentially and there is a clear correlation of demolitions of houses and schools some of them funded with EU aid with the expansion of settlements in the E1 Area” Sylikiotis said. “Over 300 people have already been displaced due to demolitions confiscations and evictions in the West Bank and east Jerusalem so far this year. We remind Israel that forcible displacement is a crime under international law.”
During its five-day visit the delegation witnessed the scale of Israel’s settlement economic activity that contributes to the de-development of the Palestinian economy.
Visiting MEPs called on European companies to comply with international human rights standards and warned against the legal political and reputational consequences of dealing with or helping settlements.
The Palestinian neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem are being threatened by settler takeovers plans for Israeli tourist activities at the expense of Palestinian homes and intentionally discriminatory planning processes making it impossible for the Palestinians to build legally leaving families with no choice but to move away or build illegally they warned further.
The delegation witnessed the increasing feeling of hopelessness among Palestinian young people the creeping annexation now becoming blatantly “open annexation” in Area C of the West Bank.
It also heard the pleas for aid from communities whose homes are under imminent threat of destruction and their families at risk of forcible displacement in Khan al-Ahmar and Sateh al-Bahr.
The delegation visited the Ofer military court where children as young as 13 and young men were being prosecuted on charges ranging from throwing stones political activism to social media posts.
There is a lot of procedures and very little justice in Israel’s military courts human rights groups and lawyers told members of the delegation as they were walking near the barbed wire-topped metal bars and pre-fabricated cages that constitute the Ofer military court meeting mothers and fathers waiting long hours in order to see their children across a court room.
“After what we have seen in the Ofer court we cannot but urge the EU to put justice and fair trials high on the agenda of any dialogue with Israel” Sylikiotis said.
The delegation visited and assessed EU-funded projects on its mission including a school for children with special needs in Bethlehem rehabilitation projects in the Old City of Jerusalem and services in refugee camps.
The Israeli occupation authority once again refused the delegation access to Gaza where the European Parliament has not been allowed in since 2011.”This is unacceptable” Sylikiotis said calling for an end to the prolonged Israeli blockade on the impoverished Strip.
The delegation for relations with Palestine started its fact-finding mission last Monday. It is led by member of the European Parliament Neoklis Sylikiotis and includes four other members.
