The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights and democracy in Israel and Palestine

–   having regard to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),

–   having regard to the Council conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process of 8 December 2009, 13 December 2010, and 18 July 2011,

–   having regard to the Charter of the United Nations,

–   having regard to pertinent UN resolutions, UN General Assembly Resolutions 181 (1947) and 194 (1948), and UN Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), and 1850 (2008),

–   having regard to the Middle East Quartet statements and in particular that of 23 September 2011,

–   having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure

A.       whereas it has been reported that in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday 7 March approximately 30 Israeli soldiers raided the Palestinian television stations of Watan TV and al Quds Educational TV

B.        whereas it has been reported that the Israeli soldiers confiscated administrative and financial files along with broadcasting equipment including broadcasting transmitters on the grounds that they were interfering with Israeli Communications equipment

C.       whereas the Israeli Authorities have stated that the broadcasting equipment was causing interference with plane communications at Ben-Gurion International Airport and noting that the Israeli Authority had issued warnings to the television stations about such interference over the past year and a half

D.       whereas Director of the Institute of Modern Media, al- Quds University (who operate the station), Ms. Lucy Nusseibeh states that there were no such warnings from the Israeli Authorities and notes that the licence for the operation of the television station was authorised by the Palestinian Ministry of Communications

E.        whereas the EU has repeatedly confirmed its support for the two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security, called for the resumption of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, noting that peace negotiations are currently suspended and tension in the West Bank has been growing over recent days and weeks

1.        Stresses the need for improved communication and cooperation between the Israeli Authorities and the Palestinian Authority and urges both sides to rejoin the peace negotiations; stresses again that peaceful and non-violent means are the only way to achieve a sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and concludes that a two-state solution is still the optimum and preferred outcome for the long-term;

2.        Recognises the right of the Palestinian Authority to govern and control the West Bank, including Ramallah where these raids took place as well as recognising the right of the Israeli Authorities to safeguard her security and safety;

3.        States that there is on-going conflict in this area and these raids are part of long standing conflict between both sides; recognises that the Palestinians are regularly using approximately 100 unauthorised emitters on various frequencies (radio, TV and other uses);

4.        Urges the Palestinian Communications Ministry to work more closely with the Israeli Authorities to ensure that all broadcasting facilities are safe and within the law;

5.        Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President of the UN General Assembly, the governments and parliaments of members of the UN Security Council, the Middle East Quartet Envoy, the Knesset and the Government of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council.