European Union to wait for 'appropriate time' to recognize Palestinian state

[News_Editor]

European Union to wait for 'appropriate time' to recognize Palestinian state

2010-12-14 10:31:55 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The Council of the European Union on Monday said that the body will not recognize the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state immediately but reiterated its readiness to do so when such a move does not harm peace negotiations.

The Council commended the work of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in building the institutions of the future state and said that, if the PA maintains its current performance in institution building and delivery of public service, it will be well positioned to establish a Palestinian state in the future.

The EU urged both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work towards an 'urgent' two state solution as it said Israel and Palestine should be living side by side in peace and security. However, the EU regretted that Israel has not complied with extending the settlement construction moratorium as requested by the EU, the U.S. and the Quartet.

According to the EU, the Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law and remains an obstacle to peace. But the EU also condemned violence and called for all parties to refrain from provocative unilateral actions.

"The EU recalls that peace in the Middle East should be comprehensive and reiterates the importance of negotiations on the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon tracks," the Council said in a statement. "Peace should lead to the full integration of Israel in its regional environment, along the lines set out in the Arab Peace Initiative."

The main concern of the EU is the situation in Gaza. The body called for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza.

In June, the Israeli government eased the blockade on Gaza but changes on the ground have been limited and insufficient. A fundamental change of policy that allows for the reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza is imperative as well as addressing Israel's security concerns.

The Council called for the immediate complete stop of rocket attacks at Israel and all other forms of violence. Israeli Defense Force (IDF) have also hit sites in southern Gaza Strip to disrupt rebel forces in the area.

Since the beginning of 2010, more than 180 Grad missiles, Qassam rockets and mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip have landed in Israeli territory.

The Israeli government holds Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by most countries, solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it. "The IDF will also continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel," it warned.

In the winter of 2008-2009, Israel launched a surprise airstrike against the Gaza Strip which marked the beginning of a three-week military conflict between Israel and Hamas, killing nearly 1,500 people and leaving thousands more injured and displaced. Israel stated its aim was top stop rocket fire from and arms import into Gaza.

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