Josep Borrell – Photo © European Union 2023
(MUSCAT) – The EU condemned all attacks against civilians in Israel and Gaza Tuesday, but called for a continuance of financial aid to the UN Palestinian relief and human development agency.
At a meeting in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for restraint, and agreed that the priority is to cease violence and to prevent further regional escalation. And access to food, water and medicines needed to be maintained in accordance with international humanitarian law.
No mention was made of an earlier European Commission statement launching an urgent review of the EU’s assistance for Palestine.
The Joint Council called for the protection of civilians, reminding the parties of their obligations under the universal principles of international humanitarian law. It also called for the release of hostages and allowing access to food, water and medicines according to International Humanitarian Law, stressing the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis to avoid repeating this vicious cycle of violence.
The EU and the GCC Ministers reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution, living securely side-by-side, based on the 1967 lines, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and all relevant UN resolutions, the maintenance of the historical and religious status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, and a just and fair settlement for refugees.
They stressed the importance of sustained financial support for UNRWA, the Palestinian Authority, and for the humanitarian and development needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
