Middle East: EU demands respect of UN resolutions

Brussels 18.10.2024 In his remarks the EU Council president Charles Michel at the press conference following the European Council meeting of 17 October 2024 addressed the conflict in the Middle East:

“…The second topic I would like to mention is the Middle East. Once again, I want to repeat that we condemn these atrocious attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October last year. We want the release of all hostages and we also accept, recognise and affirm the right of Israel to exist and to defend itself in line with international law. We want to do everything to stop this regional escalation. And this is why we want ceasefires in Gaza and in Lebanon. We condemn the attacks against UNIFIL in Lebanon, we ask for respect for the UN resolutions. And today it was again the opportunity to reaffirm our full support for the two-state solution, because we think that the two-state solution will be the best security guarantee.

“We do not underestimate all the challenges, all the obstacles, but we feel that we have a role to play together with our partners in the region and beyond to have more influence and to make sure that we can be a more influential actor in that region. We also expressed our support for the UN, including for the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and we commend the role played by UNRWA.

And finally, I would like to add – this is not in the conclusions, but some leaders made the point in relation to the Association Agreement we have with Israel. A debate has started at the level of foreign affairs ministers on the topic. I have no doubt that we will continue this debate in the weeks to come”…

The reference to the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been made based on calls of 160 organisations that are demanding its suspension due to ongoing human rights violations in Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Association Agreement is conditional upon “respect for human rights and democratic principles” by both the EU and Israel, reads the joint statement published by the organisations.
https://www.eccpalestine.org/.

It calls for suspension of the Agreement “until the EU is confident that nothing in its relations with Israel contributes in any way – political, financial, military, technical, trade, anything – to the continuation of the occupation and of the denial of the rights of the Palestinian people.”

The EU leaders discussion takes place in the context of a successful operation of Israel Defense Forces in Gaza, resulting in neutralisation of one of the major architects of terrorist attacks of October 7 – Yahya Sinwar. There has been no comment from Hamas, who is going to succeeded him.