The European Union’s foreign ministers gathered in Brussels on Monday to hold separate meetings with Israeli chief diplomat Israel Katz and with Palestinian foreign minister Riad al-Maliki. With further meetings scheduled with foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the absolute priority is still to obtain a ceasefire, Bettel said.
“Right now, Gaza’s civilian population are the biggest victims of this conflict, Israel were the victims before, but really it’s not a question of who has it worse. Today, I can just see that there are more people suffering and right now it’s the Palestinians living in Gaza. I am convinced that the so-called two-state solution is the only way to guarantee a truly lasting and just peace. Indeed, peace for the Palestinians will also mean peace for Israel, and vice versa. It is therefore in the interest of the State of Israel to achieve peace.”
Luxembourg’s chief diplomat said it was difficult to justify Israel declaring itself in a state of emergency.
“The terrorist attacks of October 7, which nothing can justify, deeply shocked us. However, after three months of fighting and thousands of deaths among the civilian population of Gaza, 70% of whom were women and children, it is becoming difficult to argue in favour of a defence that would be legitimate and proportional.”
The minister emphasised that Israel has a duty to protect the civilian population in Gaza, as well as ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to populations in need.
Bettel also welcomed the opportunity for EU member states to have an exchange with countries in the region, and praised Josep Borrell’s preparation for a so-called global peace plan.
