European Commission (EU) has estimated that over 130 Palestinians including 23 children have been killed in confrontation with Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in West Bank, Jenin, East Jerusalem over territory dispute.
According to the EU High Representative, Josep Borell while giving his speech at the European Parliament Plenary on Tuesday while stated that number of Israelis killed by Palestinian perpetrators has also increased to 31, compared to 28 in the same period last year, with many more injured on both sides.
The Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, who on behalf of the High Representative and Vice-President delivered the Speech, said the security situation continues to deteriorate, which has led to deplorable numbers of Palestinian and Israeli victims.
He said EU is also witnessing an alarming increase of demolitions, evictions, and settlement expansion, with around 13,000 new settlement units announced in the occupied West Bank [and] approved by Israel in the past six months alone and new administrative procedures to expedite settlement expansion.
Borell disclosed that the Commission has urged Israel not to proceed with these measures, which are illegal under international law. “All these developments only serve to fuel the cycle of violence that has accelerated to alarming levels in recent months.
“The European Union has reacted publicly on several occasions – including [on] the recent military operation in Jenin and terrorist attacks in Israel and the West Bank. It is clear that the only way to break out of this vicious cycle is a return to effective security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
“But we know from experience that security track cannot be separated from the political track. Remote as it may look today, there is no viable alternative to the Two-state solution – and the longer it takes, the more difficult it will become”.
The Vice President said with this in mind, the Commission is working through its Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process [Sven Koopmans], to revive peace efforts with regional partners, in particular Saudi Arabia and the League of Arab States.
Speaking on the relationship with Palestinia, Borell stated that the European Union remains the largest donor to the Palestinian people, with projects and interventions that cover almost all aspects of Palestinian life. “These are in line with the Palestinian reform agenda and aim at promoting Palestinian state-building.
The High Representative recalled that in December 2022, the European Commission adopted its 2022 Annual Action Programme in favour of Palestine, for a total amount of €186 million.
He urged donors to step in as well, while the Palestinian Authority needs also to urgently continue its financial reforms to steer towards calmer waters. “We recall that Israel also needs to respect signed agreements and take the necessary measures that would ease the Palestinians’ financial pressures.
Borell said further that politically, the Palestinian Authority is also facing internal challenges while witnessing increasingly negative trends as regards rule of law and fundamental freedoms in areas where Palestinian Authority is in control, and in Gaza.
“A stronger and more credible Palestinian Authority as a partner is in everyone’s interest. This is why the Union continues to urge to hold the overdue national elections as soon as possible. This is important for strengthening the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority for the Palestinian people”, he said.