MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU policy on the West Bank and East Jerusalem

27.6.2012 - (2012/2964(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Ioannis Kasoulides, Elmar Brok, Mario Mauro, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Mário David, Tokia Saïfi, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Michael Gahler, Roberta Angelilli, Arnaud Danjean, Andrzej Grzyb, Monica Luisa Macovei, Eduard Kukan, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, György Schöpflin, Nadezhda Neynsky, Dominique Vlasto on behalf of the PPE Group

B7‑0377/2012

European Parliament resolution on EU policy on the West Bank and East Jerusalem

(2012/2964(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East,

–   having regard to the Council conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process of 14 May 2012,

–   having regard to the Middle East Quartet statement of 11 April 2012,

–   having regard to the joint statement by Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) of 12 May 2012,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the EU has repeatedly confirmed its support for the two-state solution with the State of Israel with secure and recognised borders and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security;

B.  whereas the EU has expressed concerns about developments on the ground, including recurring rocket attacks from Gaza, arms smuggling into Gaza, the marked acceleration of settlement construction, ongoing evictions and house demolitions in East Jerusalem and the worsening living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C in the West Bank;

C. whereas the EU has called on the parties to pursue actions conducive to an environment of confidence necessary to ensure meaningful negotiations, to refrain from actions that undermine the credibility of the process and to prevent incitement;

D. whereas following the Oslo Agreements of 1995, the West Bank has been administratively divided into three zones or areas; whereas Area C composes the largest portion of the West Bank territory; whereas social and economic development in Area C are of critical importance for the viability of a future Palestinian state; whereas the EU will continue to provide financial assistance for Palestinian development in Area C and expects such investment to be protected for future use;

E.  whereas the EU reiterates that a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states; whereas until then the EU calls for an equitable provision of resources and investment to the city’s population; whereas the EU calls for the reopening of Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem in accordance with the Roadmap;

F.  whereas Israel and the PA issued the following joint statement on 12 May 2012: ‘Israel and the Palestinian Authority are committed to achieving peace and the sides hope that the exchange of letters between President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu will further this goal’;

1.  Welcomes the Council conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process of 14 May 2012, which includes conclusions on the West bank and East Jerusalem, and the Middle East Quartet statement of 11 April 2012; supports the calls for cooperation between parties to facilitate the social and economic development of Area C; stresses that a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states;

2.  Stresses that ending the conflict is a fundamental interest of the EU as well as of the parties themselves and the wider region, and it can be achieved through a comprehensive peace agreement, based on the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the Madrid principles including land for peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties and the Arab Peace Initiative; notes that the EU, as the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority and one of Israel’s major trading partners has instruments at its disposal to more actively encourage both parties to work towards a solution; calls on both parties to work together with the EU, which should pursue all efforts to resolve the conflict; recalls the applicability of international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the applicability of the fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians;

3.  Reiterates its strong support for the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as capital of both states, with the State of Israel with secure and recognised borders and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security; calls on the EU, the USA and the international community to provide security guarantees for the two state solution, which should also be ensured militarily;

4.  Stresses again that peaceful and non-violent means are the only way to achieve a sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

5.  Stresses that direct negotiations leading to a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians should be resumed without delay and according to the deadlines called for by the Quartet, in order to overcome the unacceptable status quo; welcomes the exchange of letters between the parties initiated on 17 April 2012 and the joint statement by Israel and the PA of 12 May 2012; urges both sides to build on the current contacts; stresses again that all steps that may undermine the prospects of a negotiated agreement should be avoided and that no changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties should be accepted; insists on the fact that any resulting resolution should not affect the dignity of either side; reiterates that all settlements remain illegal under international law and calls on the Israeli Government to stop all construction and extension of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; calls for a cessation of rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and insists on the need for a permanent truce;

6.  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;