Ukraine in Arabic | EU foreign policy chief: Palestine state needs to be established
KYIV/Ukraine in Arabic/ The EU's newly appointed foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini has called for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the next few years, saying that the European community should ‘move forward' with its role in the Middle East.
In her first newspaper interview as successor to Britain’s Catherine Ashton, Federica Mogherini, the former Italian foreign minister, told reporters on Monday that Sweden’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state did not necessarily represent the rest of the EU states' stance on the issue.
Establishing rather than recognizing a Palestinian state was the point, she said. "I would be happy if, during my term, a Palestinian state were established," she told.
The new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, like some of the Israeli politicians, believes that the political, social and, most importantly, religious unrest that has taken hold of the Middle East in the past few years might offer new opportunities for the leading actors in the region, Israel among them.
“Different actors share a certain sense of urgency and common threat,” creating “maybe a unique opportunity of putting around the table different actors that so far have not shared a common interest and see if there are some elements that could shape a different regional approach," she said.
However, Mogherini warned that Israel's insistence on the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which has long been pronounced illegal by international law and has been condemned time and time again by both the EU and the US, and the EU's repeated failures to diplomatically influence Israel, would eventually erode European public support for billions of euros being seen to be wasted there.
“You cannot be a payer without being a political player. This is not sustainable,” she said. “It could create a certain frustration with European taxpayers, especially in an economic crisis.”
Last month European diplomats admitted that their frustration over West Bank settlement construction has reached a new high, to the point where they are now discussing measures like "blacklisting" Jewish settlers convicted of crimes and banning them from entering EU countries.
This change in sentiment toward Israel could also be a factor in Sweden's latest decision to recognize Palestine as an independent state and the non-binding resolution on the same issue, voted on in the British parliament two weeks ago, with more countries such as Ireland, Croatia, France, Denmark and Spain still on the fence, debating whether to adopt a similar resolution.
Mogherini is heading to the Middle East on Friday on her first trip in office outside the EU. Israel-Palestine is the focus and she is to spend three days in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza.
Despite the failed Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, this summer's war with Gaza, the escalation of violence in Jerusalem and the general frustration with Israel, Mogherini chooses to remain cautiously optimistic about her upcoming visit to the region.
“For the first time I believe … they need the European Union to be present in order to make steps forward at this time of their history. This might not have been the case in the past. But at this date I get the same messages from the Palestinian side, from the Israeli side, and from the key Arab countries, exactly in the same terms – we do need at this time the European Union to move forward.”
Palestinians: Approval of 500 units in east Jerusalem is 'a slap in the face' of the US
Meanwhile, Israel's approval Monday of plans for some 500 new settler homes in east Jerusalem, was again condemned by the US.
"It is unfortunate that after the unequivocal and unanimous position last week of the international community, opposing construction in East Jerusalem, at this sensitive time the Israeli authorities chose to move forward," Jen Psaki, State Department Spokesman said.
"We continue to engage at the highest level with the Israeli government to make our position absolutely clear – that we view settlement activity as illegitimate and that we unequivocally oppose unilateral steps that prejudge the future of Jerusalem," she added.
The decision "flies in the face of Israel's statements about commitment to the two-state solution," Psaki emphasized.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat called the decision "a slap in the face."
"With the situation in occupied Jerusalem at a boiling point, Israel’s latest settlement announcement is a slap in the face to Secretary [of State John] Kerry, to the international community, to the Palestinian people, and to peace," he said. "The message is clear: the Netanyahu government chooses settlements over negotiations, colonization over the two-state solution, and apartheid over equality and coexistence.
"The international community must realize that statements alone will not stop Israeli settlements, protect the Palestinian people, or save the two-state solution," Erekat added.
"The international community has the responsibility to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law and signed agreements, including its dramatic escalation of violations against our people in occupied East Jerusalem through settlement construction, forced displacement, and denial of our right to worship. The international community must support our right to access international treaties and organizations, including the Rome Statute."
