The situation in the Middle East, the European proposal for a peace process based on the two-state solution and the need to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza Stripwere the topics discussed by EU foreign ministers in separate consultations held in Brussels with their counterparts from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

As stated by the EU High Representative Joseph Borel after finishing his work Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, a full-scale discussion took place at these meetings, including the EU proposal supporting the two-state solution and the preparatory work for a Peace Conference. But based on what Borrell stated, Israel refuses to consider this solution which for the Europeans is considered necessary to achieve peace in the region.

In particular, Joseph Borel mentioned that Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, showed his European counterparts some videos that “had little to do with what we were discussing”. One involved some plans for an “artificial island” off the coast of Gaza, Z. Borel said, and the other was the construction of a railway connecting the Middle East with India. “I think the Israeli minister could make better use of his time and focus on the security of his country,” Z. Borrell quipped, adding that all member states had made it clear that the only solution for sustainable lasting peace that would ensures the security of Israel and the peaceful coexistence with the neighbors is that of the two states.

“We are discussing peace through a specific process – a two-state solution,” Borrell stressed. “Not everyone agrees with this solution,” he added, noting that one of them is Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but as he said “it’s not new, it’s something we’ve known for 30 years”. If Israel does not want this solution, it will be difficult to participate in the discussions, but this does not stop the rest of us from moving forward, Z. Borel said. “We cannot be hesitant,” he said, stressing that a two-state solution is the only possible outcome according to a large part of the international community including the United States.

Finally, the head of European diplomacy said that humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is a priority, pointing out that fewer than 100 trucks cross the Palestinian enclave every day, compared to more than 500 that would arrive daily under normal conditions.