MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

foreign affairs and security policy (T)

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, thank you for this opportunity to address you today on the increasingly important issues. Everybody is following closely the developments in the Middle East in the past weeks, both in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, First, I would like to start by underlining both, the European Union and my own personal engagement with both parties. I've been in contact with both, the Israeli foreign minister Cohen, even this morning, and Palestinian Prime Minister, Shtayyeh. We invite the Prime Minister Shtayyeh to Brussels, where we had a very good exchange at the last Foreign Affairs Council in January.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, This has been coupled with a public messaging, you have seen a number of my statements, not my statements, last one was on a statement of 27 member States. Sometimes people blame me for the statements of the 27 member States is not me, the 27 member States. I am representing the Council and the Council is the 27 member States. This was issued last Wednesday and when we face a difficult situation on the ground, with increasing violence and extremism, I think it's crucial that the European Union is united and speaks with one voice, not my voice, the voice of the 27 all together.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, And we manage to reach an agreement of the 27 and this is the first time it has happened for many years ago. That we had the statement of the 27. And I spoke this morning on the phone with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who was not very happy for this debate. He was concerned, he was asking why the European Parliament is into the feeling on internal affairs of Israel, and once again blaming me? Well, sorry. I am coming to the Parliament, when the Parliament calls me to discuss about something, I have to go.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, It is not me who put this title, Deterioration of Democracy in Israel and consequentially in the occupied territories, it's the political group. And this Parliament is able to discuss about everything they consider important. And that is what I try to explain to the Israeli Minister very friendly. Look, it's normal that the parliamentarians are concerned for the growing spiral of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and the need for all sides to de-escalate the situation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, I mentioned this agreement that we reached the 27 member States where, of course, we condemn terrorism. Of course, we fully recognise the Israel's right to defend itself. And we certainly never draw a comparison between operations by the Israeli military and the actions of terrorist. But we have to call for the proportional use of force nor any withhold kind of funding activities that could encourage incitement.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Of course, we are strong believer in the two state solution. And there is no, we believe, a viable alternative to that. And with our international partners, we will continue to work for a peaceful solution to the conflict. And I am using this Parliament to say that, I suppose you agree that the European Union has to engage or look for peace in the Middle East. And the Middle East peace process is something for us matters and we are engaged on that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Maybe someone doesn't like it, but we do it, because we believe that is our contribution to the security in the region and to our security, too. So, I hope that today will be a good discussion to show to Minister Cohen that the Parliament is ready to discuss what's happening in the Middle East and how we can contribute to the peace process. And it is not, not at all, to have a anti-Israeli position. Not at all.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Secondly, we have not Israel for this vibrant democracy, that is true, so vibrant that we have seen five elections in the past three years, very vibrant. Five elections in three years is a quite dynamic electoral process. And the new government is keen to pursue a judicial reform, and that's what we want to discuss today, a judicial reform which has led to a heated internal political debate. And everybody knows because everybody watched TV and read newspapers that many Israelis have been demonstrating in the streets.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, And both, the government and opposition, are using a foolish language, a compromise seemed difficult, but as far as I know, talks are ongoing, especially thanks to the efforts of President Herzog. And I don't want to prejudge the outcome of this debate, I am not part of this debate, I am just saying that this debate is taking place. And I can remember you what the President Herzog, himself, has said. We are a close observer because Israel is a key partner.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Our values are based on our democratic and open society and the rule of law. And we expect this to continue. And if we have concerns, if you have concerns, you will not hesitate on expressing them and conveying them as you do with any part in the world. For example, the Knesset is discussing a bill that could restablish death penalty. We know that we are strongly, in principle, opposed to the death penalty and, for sure, today I'm sure that so many members will engage on this clearly.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, full But with the respect to the internal political dynamics in Israel, this chamber is fully empowered to discuss about these dynamics and to understand what happens there with respect to our perception of our values and interests in the region. Nothing is strange on that. This cannot be seen as a interference, but a way of showing our interest and our appreciation for the Israeli democracy. And then you present in the title of the debate, also the consequences on the Palestinian territories, occupied Palestinian territories.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, And I am not inventing the new world if they say that the situation there is grave. And that violence has reached levels unseen since 2005 with an appalling number of victims, including children. I cannot go, this cannot go like this. And I made a call with our statement and also with an article published in the Middle East, press acting are asking, both sides, to act urgently and responsible. They need to do whatever they can to allow for a change, of course. And we have been clear, and I will be clear once again, settlements are illegal under international law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Is that being anti Israeli saying that? No, settlements are illegal under international law and the expansion must stop, as well as demolition and evictions of Palestinians from their homes. The Israeli government must seriously counter the violence of settler extremism and hold perpetrators accountable. And military operations must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law. It's difficult not to agree on that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, But the Palestinian Authority must act to, they must redouble their efforts in terms of security cooperation and work to prevent acts of terror that have claimed many Israeli lives. It is equally important that the Palestinians worked towards reconciliation in order to reunite the Palestinian territories under one single legitimate authority. Palestinian factions should engage constructively in reconciliation talks. Palestinian people deserve the right to vote in national democratic elections to renew the legitimacy of their leadership. This is important also in view of future peace talks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, The international community must act as well to help bring about renewed perspective for peace. And we need renewed international efforts to help both, Israelis and Palestinians, to seeing through their options. And in order to contribute to it, on the last 13rd of February, I met with the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal, and with Arab League Secretary-General, Aboul Gheit, and we agreed to work together towards a viable solution in order to revive and build on the Arab Peace Initiative, also by adding an European peace contribution to it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, And in this effort, we will be working closely with other Arab and international partners. We have also supported the work of the US, including on the recent Aqaba Joint Communique. And all parties should now respect the agreements they did reach in Aqaba in good faith. And we must help to create the conditions where it will be advantageous for Israelis and Palestinians to go back to the negotiation table and talk.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, And nothing will be me more happy that be able to contribute from the European Union to prepare this process. I think everybody in this chamber agrees that the European Union should do all we can in order to contribute to a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Middle East and peace between Israel and Palestine. This, and nothing else, is what is moving us and, in particular, me. Thank you.