Remarks by EU High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on Jerusalem, Gaza, Middle East Peace Process (Excerpts) (Non-UN Document)

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Lisbon, Portugal, 27/05/2021 – 22:14, UNIQUE ID: 210527_24

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Last but not least, we had an interesting and open discussion which lasted much more than expected – and prevented us from visiting the Jerónimos [Monastery] – with the Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi about the situation in Jerusalem, in Gaza and the Middle East Peace Process.

We agreed on the need to revive the peace process and restore hope in a credible pathway towards peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians.

We reaffirmed the solution of two-states, but also the need of not just making it a declaration, but a purpose, an objective that requires a strong engagement if we want to make it a reality. The international community cannot be expected to support reconstruction costs indefinitely. It will be the third or fourth time that Gaza has to be rebuilt; we cannot accept a new wave of violence. The status quo is not an option. We need to engage in a process that brings peace through a political engagement. We are supporting this engagement with key international and regional partners, including of course Jordan, but also a revived Middle East Quartet.

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Q. Also a question, if I may, two days ago the [European] Commission announced €8 more million to help Palestine, is it enough?

The explanation that the Minister [of Foreign Affairs of Portugal Augusto] Santos Silva gave is perfect. About the question: is €8 million enough? Enough for what? For sure, it is not enough. The reconstruction of Gaza will cost hundreds of million or dollars, whatever you prefer.

And the international community, and in particular the European Union, cannot continue reconstructing every two, three years what has been destroyed on a new wave of violence. That is why I insist on the need to start another process of peacekeeping, because the status quo is not affordable. No one can believe that the Palestinian question is over, it is not over. We can consider that the Israel-Arab question is over, because with the Abraham Agreements [Peace Agreement], a lot of Arab countries have been recognising Israel, but the core of the problem – the problem is between Palestine and Israel – this has not been solved. So, we have to face the problem. We will reconstruct Gaza because these people need help, but certainly 8 million will not be enough, much more will be needed.

Q. On this ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, to what extent do you think this is consolidated following your working lunch with the Jordanian Foreign Minister? What about the recalling of the French ambassador to Israel following some declarations made on Sunday saying that there was a risk of apartheid in Israel?

About the consolidation of the ceasefire, who knows? For the time being it works. We were asking for a ceasefire at our last Foreign Affairs Council. Unhappily, only 26 out of 27 Member States supported it, but it was enough. A big majority, 26 out of 27. So we can say that the Europe Union was asking for the ceasefire as President Biden [of the United States, Joe] Biden, as the Secretary-General of the United Nations [António Guterres], as the Pope [Francis]. Everybody was asking for it in order to avoid more civilian casualties.

The ceasefire came and I am sure that it came thanks to the United States’ engagement and the brokering by Egypt. In any case, the ceasefire started and it is lasting. Let us hope that it will last. But, once again, we cannot rely on ceasefires, violence, ceasefires. Security is not peace. What is needed is peace and peace will not come by miracle. It will come through political negotiations.

And there are not many different solutions. The status quo is not viable, as this new wave of violence has demonstrated once again. The two-state solution, we have to recognise it, we are very far away from it. Further away than ever. So, we have to put that on the table and not to just pronounce the magic words ‘two-state solution’, but to work and to engage on it. Because I do not see any other solution. And on the fears that some colleagues can express about possible situations, well, I prefer to work and really engage on the two-state solution, which is the only one that can provide both to Israelis and Palestinians dignity, freedom and being able to live together.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-206369