If the EU Foreign Affairs Council aimed at a first rapprochement between Israel And Palestinethe minister for Tel Aviv he managed to boycott it. During the meeting in front of his European counterparts, to which he was invited together with the diplomatic chief of Ramallahthe Foreign Minister of Israel, Israel Katzhe dusted off an old obsession of his and suggested creating something an artificial island off the coasts of Gaza in which a port and other basic structures were to be built. And where, he then added, the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip could too go live.
In making such a proposal, Katz appears to have failed to understand that both the Palestinians and the united international community have repeatedly rejected the idea of one Mass deportation the inhabitants of Gaza. Initially, the target designed for them was also spread in the media according to Tel Aviv's plans Egyptbut so be it Cairo Is United States And EUin addition to everything Muslim countriesThey refused, saying mass deportations would not be allowed. TO BrusselsHowever, the Israeli minister returns to the topic and shows a video of the project, presumably the video made in 2017 when he launched the idea as transport minister.
A proposal that met with resistance from the ministers present, some of whom, as we know, expressed this during the meeting and stated that another intervention was expected, focused on the ongoing conflict and on efforts to achieve one solution to come next phase of the crisis.
An idea that was apparently harshly rejected by the Palestinian minister Riyadh al-Maliki: “We don’t need islands, neither natural nor artificial. We stay in our country. The land of Palestine is ours, our priority and we will stay there. And we don't let anyone think otherwise. Anyone who wants to get away to live on artificial or natural islands can go there. We, the owners of this land, will stay there and resist staying there to protect our rights to have it Palestinian state with capital East Jerusalem“, replied the PNA Foreign Minister.
In his speech, Riyad al-Maliki also drew attention to the harsh living conditions in Gaza three months of bombing continuously e 25,000 deadwithout forgetting the worsening situation in the EU Occupied territories. “The situation is getting out of control,” he explained. The health system is collapsing and there is no way to treat tens of thousands of wounded Palestinians in Gaza who are unable to even leave the Strip to receive treatment outside. And that is why I have come here to tell my European colleagues that the most important action is this armistice. We must call together for a ceasefire. We cannot accept anything less. We cannot hesitate before a ceasefire. Every day we hesitate, innocent people are killed, children, women and old people are killed. And that is intolerable and unacceptable.”
The minister then called on European governments to take a clearer stance on the work of Netanyahu and his government, until the introduction of Sanctions to the prime minister: “The truth is really important to the Palestinians,” he added. “I expect the EU to condemn Netanyahu’s statement of rejection.” Two-state solution. I expect the EU to start considering sanctions against Netanyahu and others that will destroy the chances of resolving the problem Peace in the Middle East. I think the collective responsibility of the European Union lies in this particular moment, a moment in which it must show itself Leadership and courage to really get into the right position. Otherwise, what we've been talking about for a long time Double standards will emerge clearly. However, a change in Europe's attitude can already be observed, he admits: “When I look at the position that the EU took on October 7th and the one it took today, I see one clear progress. Of course, there is still no call to cease fire.”