PES on the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine

16 March 2006

Commenting on the current situation in the Middle East, including recent Israeli military action, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, said “The Israeli military intervention ordered by the Israeli government, coming as it does just before the Israeli elections, and in the middle of negotiations to form the next Palestinian government, can only be damaging and counterproductive.  It is not acceptable to the international community. It is unacceptable to jeopardize the stability of the region  and is yet another humiliation for the Palestinian people”. 

On aid to Palestine, Rasmussen stated “The Party of European Socialists wants the European Union to maintain  humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people and essential  public services. The European Union has a strong interest in maintaining a viable Palestinian Authority as the backbone of a Palestinian state. The Party of European Socialists is committed to keeping the EU’s door open for cooperation and dialogue with Palestine.  At the same time,  we expect the right of foreigners to live, work and travel freely in the West Bank and Gaza  to be upheld as it always used  to be. We also expect the new Palestinian Government to confirm earlier decisions to recognise the state of Israel."

“European Socialists offer their support to Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, in this difficult time.”

"We reject all unilateral actions: Israel cannot decide unilaterally how a Palestinian state should be formed, Hamas cannot decide unilaterally on the future of the state of Israel. There is only one way and that is negotiations on an equal footing". The President of the Party of European Socialists called for peace negotiations to be re-launched as soon as possible after the Israeli elections with a strong involvement of the EU in the Quartet. He added “Peace in the Middle East , based on  the  recognition of two independent states,  is a high priority for the Party of European Socialists.”