As there has been understanding so far in European capitals for Israel’s position in the conflict against Hamas but also concern about the escalation of violence and calls for a ceasefire, EU Foreign Ministers meet Tuesday in Brussels to look at the latest developments of the situation on the ground as part of a discussion on the Middle East Peace Process in general.
Last week, the European Council voiced great concern about the continued violence and called on both sides ‘’to deescalate the situation, end the suffering of the civilian populations and return to calm.’’
It welcomed on-going efforts by regional partners, in particular the Egyptian initiative, towards a cease-fire and called on Hamas to agree to such cease-fire.
Israel had accepted the Egyptian proposal but Hamas rejected it.
EU leaders also recalled the urgent need for all parties to work towards a resumption of the diplomatic process and to pursue a two-state solution.
Since the beginning of 'Operation Protective Edge,' the EU has expressed grave concern, ‘’strongly condemning the indiscriminate fire into Israel by militant groups in Gaza’’ and ‘’deploring the growing number of civilian casualties caused by Israeli retaliatory fire.’’
Already in May, the EU expressed extreme concern at recent developments related to the peace process and said that ‘’a negotiated two-state solution remains the best way to resolve the conflict once and for all.’’ It called on all sides ‘’to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any unilateral action which may further undermine peace efforts and the viability of a two-state solution,such as continued settlement expansion.’’
The EU also reiterated that the EU supports intra-Palestinian reconciliation while it expects a unity government ‘’to uphold the principle of non-violence and to remain committed to a two-state solution and a negotiated peaceful settlement of the conflict.’’
Several EU Foreign Ministers visited Israel last week, including Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, whose country currently chairs the rotating EU presidency, as well as her French, German and Norwegian counterparts.
As the EU is likely Monday to publish a new statement on the latest Gaza developments, diplomatic sources said Israel has been trying to avoid a text dealing also with the West Bank settlement construction issue.