Borrell calls on Brussels to focus on two-state solution despite Israel’s rejection of it
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, has called on Monday for the EU-27 to focus on the two-state solution as the only possible way out of the war in Gaza, despite Israel’s expressed refusal to implement this framework advocated by the international community.
The head of European diplomacy will present EU foreign ministers with a “comprehensive approach” to the Middle East crisis, including an international conference to relaunch the two-state solution. “I think we should stop talking about the peace process and start talking more concretely about the two-state process,” he said ahead of the meeting.
“Peace can take many forms, let’s talk about what we want to do, which is to build two states. The way we name it is important”, he said, with respect to the plan based on the coexistence of two states, Palestinian and Israeli, and the normalisation of relations between Israel and the countries of the region.
Hamas is an obstacle to the solution “but it is not the only one”, Borrell acknowledged, who referred to Israel’s misgivings, insisting that the United Nations supports the creation of the State of Palestine in its resolutions. “They don’t agree, but we have to discuss and we will see what other solutions they have in mind: force all the Palestinians to leave, kill them all?
He criticised the way Israel is fighting Hamas in the Strip as “sowing hatred” for generations to come. “Peace and stability cannot be built by military means alone,” he warned.
The highlight of the day is a separate round of talks between the EU-27 and the foreign ministers of Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, all of whom are key players in resolving the conflict in Gaza, as the Israeli counter-offensive enters its third month.
