The European Union’s chief diplomat and Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, has called for immediate action towards a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing that efforts should not wait for a ceasefire.
“If you want to build the two-state solution, do not wait for the ceasefire. Start working on it from now on,” Borrell stated during a talk at the Council on Foreign Relations, a prominent U.S. foreign policy think tank, in New York on Friday.
He argued that the idea of initiating peace efforts only after the cessation of hostilities is unrealistic and disconnected from the harsh realities on the ground. “We have to overlap the two processes,” he noted, suggesting that peacebuilding and conflict resolution must occur simultaneously.
Borrell has been actively advocating for the creation of a Palestinian state at several events on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting. He stressed the international community’s responsibility towards innocent civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.
“We have a responsibility to thousands and thousands of innocent children who were killed,” Borrell said at a ministerial side event on the Middle East Peace Process. He warned that Israel’s current actions are not conducive to ensuring the nation’s security.
“These attacks against Lebanon have been creating such a great number of civilian casualties that cannot be justified by the right to defense,” he remarked, urging for a reassessment of strategies to prevent further loss of life.
According to figures released by the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israel has bombarded Lebanon since Monday morning, resulting in over 700 deaths and nearly 2,200 injuries.
Borrell also reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). “We are the biggest supporter to UNRWA. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to provide critical resources to ensure the agency’s ongoing operations, and we call on the international community to join us in this effort,” he said at the UNRWA Ministerial Level Meeting in New York.
“Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people – nothing less than that,” Borrell added, emphasizing the importance of collective action in addressing the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees.
Borrell’s remarks highlight the urgency of addressing the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict through concrete steps towards a two-state solution, even amidst ongoing hostilities. His call reflects a growing international demand for immediate and proactive peacebuilding efforts in the region.
Reference(s):
EU's chief diplomat urges swift action on two-state solution
cgtn.com
