EN - Israel-Palestine after the #Gaza war and the role of the #EU - David Martin (S&D, UK): Mr President, for the third time in a decade we will contribute to the rebuilding of Gaza after a conflict. The chronic cycle of violence and violent deterrence has to end, we are all agreed on that, but I have to say that the words we heard from the High Representative’s representative and the resolution that we are going to pass tomorrow will make not the slightest difference to the situation in Gaza. Like many others who have spoken, I believe the only solution is a two-state solution, but the combination of illegal Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank and the closure of the Gaza Strip makes it near impossible to achieve this. In fact, every day, every action by the Israelis takes us further and further away from a two-state solution and from a peaceful settlement. I agree with other colleagues who have spoken – Ms Anderson said it first I think, but others too have mentioned Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement – in saying that, until Israel shows it is clearly determined to move down a path of peace, we have to suspend that Association Agreement. We have to ensure that the guidelines on EU money going into projects in the Occupied Territories are fully implemented. We have to make sure that goods from the Occupied Territories do not enter the European Union. Until Israel gets the message that the EU is prepared to act it will not listen to our words. © Frédérick Moulin 2014 - EU2014 - All rights reserved.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:20:23 +0000