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EP demands new EU peace initiative for Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Xinhua, September 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Parliament (EP) called Thursday for a fresh EU approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a non-binding resolution passed by 525 votes to 70, with 31 abstentions, the MEPs said the EU must fulfil its responsibilities as an influential player and take "a bold and comprehensive peace initiative for the region."

Parliament regretted what MEPs saw as the lack of a comprehensive and coherent vision of the EU's engagement in the Middle East peace process, and called for the resumption of credible peace efforts without delay.

In doing so, MEPs insisted that EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and special representative Fernando Gentilini make better use of member states' expertise on the region to play a genuine political role in the peace process.

MEPs stressed that only nonviolent means and respect for human rights and humanitarian law can achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The resolution added that preserving the viability of the two-state solution, comprising Israel and an independent, viable Palestinian state, must be an immediate priority for the EU and the international community. The EU is ready to engage with regional partners on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative, MEPs said.

Parliament also wanted to see an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and its urgent reconstruction following the summer 2014 war. MEPs urged the EU and other donors to live up to their promises to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which has been under serious financial stress.

They also called for the EU Border Assistance Mission to be reactivated "with a more ambitious mandate and adequate means" to play a concrete role in the controlling of the Gaza Strip's borders with both Egypt and Israel. Endit