A group of nearly 500 former diplomats, ministers, and officials from across Europe have called on the European Union and its member states to take action against a large-scale Israeli settlement project in the West Bank. The project, known as E1, has been criticized for its potential to further isolate East Jerusalem and undermine prospects for a Palestinian state. The former diplomats, including two former French prime ministers, Dominique de Villepin and Alain Juppé, and two former presidents of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell and Enrique Barón Crespo, published an opinion piece in the French newspaper Libération.
The E1 project involves the construction of over 1,200 housing units near Jerusalem, which was approved by the Israeli government last year. The project has been frozen for decades, but the Israeli judiciary recently ordered a one-month delay in the project's tender to avoid influencing upcoming legislative elections. The former diplomats expressed concern that the EU has not taken sufficient action to prevent the project's implementation, despite its significant implications for the region. They noted that the EU has a commitment to uphold international law and protect the rights of Palestinians.
The former diplomats praised some EU member states for taking national measures against illegal settlements, but criticized others, particularly Germany and Italy, for blocking EU-level action. They argued that this inaction undermines the EU's values and its commitment to a two-state solution. The diplomats called on the European Commission to propose legislation to impose sanctions on financial institutions and service providers involved in the E1 project and other illegal settlements.
The E1 project is seen as a significant obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state, as it would further isolate East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. The project has been widely criticized by the international community, including the United Nations, which has repeatedly called for a halt to Israeli settlement activity. The former diplomats emphasized that the EU has a crucial role to play in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Israeli government has been expanding settlements in the West Bank since 1967, when it occupied the territory. The settlements have grown significantly in recent years, with over 500,000 Israeli citizens now living in the West Bank. The former diplomats argued that the EU must take concrete action to address the settlement issue, including implementing measures to prevent trade with illegal settlements.
The former diplomats' call to action comes ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers on October 12. They urged the EU to take a strong stance on the settlement issue and to use its diplomatic and economic leverage to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The EU has a long-standing commitment to a two-state solution, but its efforts to promote peace have been hindered by divisions among member states.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the most intractable issues in international diplomacy. The former diplomats' initiative highlights the need for the EU to take a more active role in promoting a peaceful resolution. The EU's inaction on the settlement issue has been criticized by many, who argue that it undermines the EU's credibility as a champion of human rights and international law.
Key points
- The EU must take concrete action to address the Israeli settlement issue.
- The E1 project has significant implications for the prospects of a Palestinian state.
- The EU's inaction on the settlement issue undermines its values and credibility.
