Jordi Solé urges EU to intensify its efforts for de-escalation in Palestine

EFA group president Jordi Solé intervened in plenary today, to urge the EU to intensify its relations and political dialogue with the Palestinian Authority after his visit to the territory last month as part of the DROI mission.   

In his intervention, MEP Solé, pointed out that the PA is a government with limited self-rule, with a delicate financial situation and with a legitimacy problem.    
“The Palestinian Authority is a government with limited self-rule over only a part of the West Bank, which in turn is an occupied and extremely fragmented territory, as I could witness myself three weeks ago as a member of a DROI mission that went to the area”     

“It is also confronted with a legitimacy problem, given that there have been no elections for 17 years, and it is becoming increasingly authoritarian in terms of suppressing political dissent and reducing the space for civil society.” He said. 

“And despite all these challenges and flaws, or rather because of them, the EU has to intensify its relations and its political dialogue with the PA.” - He added.   

The EFA MEP pointed out that the intensification of the EU relations and a compromise of Israel to comply with international law are needed to improve democratic governance and better living conditions for Palestinians. 

“With the aim of improving governance and institutions in the OPT, easing socio-economic conditions for Palestinians, and ultimately making Palestine a viable country, living peacefully and democratically alongside Israel, and fully assuming its security demands.” He said.   

“This would also require Israel to comply with international law regarding settlements and stop advancing de facto annexation.” He added  

MEP Solé finalized his intervention by warning against the escalation of violence in the region and against the obstacle that it can pose towards building peace.   

“The EU must focus its attention on what’s happening in the West Bank and intensify its efforts for de-escalation. We shouldn’t let the extremists keep instrumentalizing the conflict, or else we will lose more chances for a future in peace.” He concluded