MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

30.1.2006

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Council
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Cristiana Muscardini, Roberta Angelilli and Konrad Szymański
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the results of the elections in Palestine, the situation in the Middle East and the Council's decision not to publish the report on East Jerusalem

B6‑0090/2006

European Parliament resolution on the results of the elections in Palestine, the situation in the Middle East and the Council's decision not to publish the report on East Jerusalem

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the 25 January elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC),

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the democratic elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council represent an important step towards the implementation of the road map,

B.  whereas the State of Israel has made a significant step to create conditions for a peaceful dialogue with the Palestinians with the recent withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank,

C.  whereas despite all achievements many efforts have still to be made, but the Palestinian people is willing to show its commitment to pursuing the peace process and achieving democratic institutions,

1.  Welcomes the Palestinians' conduct of the elections, since they have proved to be open and well-administered, as well as their commitment to determining their political future via democratic means, as seen in the impressive turnout;

2.  Supports the democratic process in Palestine and reiterates the fundamental principles which are outlined in the road map; recalls that the road map was launched by the Quartet (the UN, the EU, the US and Russia) as the result of a long peace-building process which started over fifty years ago;

3.  Respects the outcome of the democratically held elections which have given the victory to Hamas, and confirms its willingness to cooperate with any Palestinian government, provided Hamas and all parties forming the new government:

• i)renounce violence and terror, accept Israel's right to exist and disarm, as defined in the road map, and support and promote all initiatives to combat terrorism;
• ii)recognise the existing UN resolutions and international agreements and the negotiations which have been held so far on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
• iii)commit themselves to finding a peaceful solution based on the 'two states' (Israel and Palestine) principle;

4.  Condemns all forces on both sides that use or praise violence as a tool to achieve political goals, and believes that only dialogue and non-violent political means can bring peace and will secure the interests of both parties in the long run;

5.  Calls on both parties to reach a peaceful solution concerning East Jerusalem so that both societies will be able to live side by side;

6.  Stresses the important political role of the EU, which as part of the Quartet is fully engaged in the peace process;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States, the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the UN Secretary-General and the Governments of the Quartet.