EP Urges Pressure on Israel to Comply with International Obligations
MEMO photo.
Bbrussel, MINA – 67 Members of the European Parliament (EP) have written a letter to the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini reminding her of longstanding European Parliament demands in relation to Israel’s international obligations.
The letter released to the press Friday comes ahead of the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Brussels to attend an EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday, according to KUNA.
“We, the undersigned members of the European Parliament, would like to recall several resolutions passed in 2012, 2015 and 2017 by our Assembly asking the state of Israel to comply with international law,” said the letter.
“We hope that the Foreign Ministers and the High Representative for the European Union will remind the Prime Minister of Israel that Israel’s attitude towards Palestine infringes Article 2 of the European Union – Israel Association Agreement,” noted the MEPS.
In 2012 the EP passed a resolution reaffirming that no change in pre-1967 borders, including Jerusalem, will be recognized by the European Union.
It stressed the importance of protecting the Palestinian population and its rights in Area C and in East Jerusalem, which is essential for keeping the viability of the two-state solution alive.
In its 2015 resolution the EP reiterated its call for an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip and for the urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation of the area.
In its 2017 resolution, the EP condemned the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, which violates international humanitarian law.
“On the basis of these resolutions adopted by the European Parliament, we, Members of the European Parliament holding our mandate by the peoples of the European Union, demand the application of these resolutions and of the international law.
Those are conditiond for the continuation of the Association Agreements and partnership between the European Union and Israel,” added the letter of the MEPS who belong to different political groups in the EP. (T/RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
