Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Israel was absent from participating in the meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean, which began this morning in Barcelona, Spain, where the current rotating presidency of the European Union is. The EU’s foreign policy coordinator, Josep Borle, said in his opening speech that Israel, a member state of this union, was absent from participating in this meeting, adding “We hope to see it participate again in the meetings during the coming period. In his speech, Borrell pointed out that the large number participating in these meetings shows the importance of this forum, which is the eighth regional forum of the Union for the Mediterranean. He also said, “It is necessary to seize this opportunity to confront the disaster that is unfolding before us.” Our eyes are in the Middle East.
Noting that the Palestinian state is the best security guarantee for Israel, according to Borrell’s post on the X website, “formerly Twitter,” I was horrified when I learned that in the midst of the war, the Israeli government is preparing to allocate new funds to build more illegal settlements. This is not self-defense and will not make Israel safer. The settlements constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and are Israel's greatest security responsibility. The return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza is the ideal solution to the current situation, calling for an end to Hamas’ presence in Gaza and “Israel should not think about reoccupying the Gaza Strip.” Borrell explained that declaring a Palestinian state is important for global security, pointing out that the exchange of hostages is good progress between Israel and Hamas, but the truce must also be extended.
Borrell chaired the meeting, accompanied by Ayman Safadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan. The eighth edition of the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean is being held at a very important time in view of the critical conditions that the region is going through, and the differences in the positions of the 43 member states, including Palestine and Israel, regarding the bloody war that witnessed by the Gaza Strip, but at the same time it is an important opportunity to exchange views regarding the complex scene in the Gaza Strip and push towards strengthening regional cooperation and efforts aimed at pressing for a ceasefire to protect civilians who are subjected to unprecedented human suffering.
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