Middle East conflict
EU chief diplomat presents concept for two-state solution
According to Josep Borrell, it is particularly important to examine what causes are currently preventing the implementation of a two-state solution. photo
© Virginia Mayo/AP/dpa
Josep Borrell wants to present a new plan for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. What specific steps will he propose?
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell has a possible strategy for a two-state solution Middle East conflict presented.
“We have to stop talking about the peace process and start talking more concretely about the process of the two-state solution,” said the Spaniard at a meeting of EU foreign ministers with colleagues from the Middle East. He knows that this is a difficult topic. But there is a moral obligation to do everything possible to look for a solution.
Borrell initially did not comment on the details of his concept. However, it should serve as a basis for the discussions today. The Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abul Gheit, as well as the foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan were expected to attend the talks in Brussels. Separate rounds of exchanges were also planned with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Riad Malki.
According to Borrell, it is particularly important to examine what causes are currently preventing the implementation of a two-state solution. “Hamas is one of them – an important one – but there are others,” he said, referring to resistance in Israel. Regarding the current Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, he said that peace and stability cannot be achieved through military means alone.
Baerbock indirectly criticizes Netanyahu
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indirectly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s negative attitude towards a two-state solution. “All those who don’t want to know anything about it have not yet come up with any other alternative,” said the Green politician at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The militant Islamist Hamas also rejects a two-state solution, according to which an independent, democratic and demilitarized Palestinian state should exist peacefully alongside Israel. Hamas instead seeks to destroy the state of Israel.
Baerbock further said that it is now crucial to make it clear that Israel can only live in security if the Palestinians can also live in security and dignity. At the same time, Palestinians can only live in dignity, security and freedom if Israel lives in security.
“That’s why the two-state solution is the only solution,” she said. Germany will do everything in its power to get it off the ground. “This is beyond complex, but the alternative of doing nothing and just waiting is not an option for us,” she said.
In the EU, a two-state solution means that Israel and an independent, democratic Palestinian state live peacefully side by side. However, efforts to achieve this have not made any progress for years.