The Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) of the European Parliament Tuesday stated that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law and demanded their immediate end.
The FAC today adopted a set of recommendations on how the EU should deal with the Palestine question with 41 votes in favour, 24 against with 9 abstentions.
It said that these illegal settlements constitute a major obstacle to the viability of the two-state solution, including lasting peace and security.
It called for new efforts to end the latest cycle of settlement related violence and say the EU should considerer targeted measures specifically addressing settlement expansion in the West Bank.
They also express concern about EU policy and EU financial assistance in the Palestinian territories being undermined by illegal Israeli settlements and demand compensation for the demolition of all EU-funded infrastructure in the area.
The text notes that, in 2022, 101 structures funded by the EU or EU member states valued at 337,019 euros (USD 369,000) were demolished or seized by Israeli-occupation regime.
FAC also asks the EU to commission a legal opinion assessing the political and economic consequences of the Israeli move to transfer broad authority over civilian issues in the West Bank to the Finance Minister of the Israeli-occupation regime, which would enable the deepening of Israel’s presence on the Palestinian territories.
In line with its commitment to a two-state solution, the EU should establish a more regular political dialogue with the Palestinian authorities, with a strong focus on human rights, the rule of law and the fight against terrorism.
FAC also wants the EU to launch negotiations on a full Association Agreement between the EU and Palestine as soon as possible, and to convene an Association Council. The EU has had such an Association Agreement with Israeli-occupation regime since 2000.
It says that the EU should continue to engage with the Palestinian Authority (PA) but stressed that it is unacceptable that no elections have been held in the Palestinian territories in more than 16 years.
It strongly urges the political leadership of the PA to prepare for the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential ballots as soon as possible.
“The Palestinian people have lived under occupation for more than 50 years. EU must show its true commitment through a strengthening of its cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and acting to end the occupation. The Palestinian Authority has also a responsibility to advance democracy and reforms”, said rapporteur of the recommendations Evin Incir, an MEP from Sweden.
The recommendation will now be submitted for approval by the European Parliament as a whole, with the vote scheduled for July.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
