Thank you Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, as well as Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

The EU’s position on the deeply alarming military escalation in the Middle East has been set out on several occasions. We call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, the urgent improvement of access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza, and an enduring end to hostilities, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735. The EU condemns Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks, expresses full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, while reiterating that in exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances.  We call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law.  

The EU is committed to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two‑state solution on the basis of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Chair,

The EU has consistently reiterated its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. We will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, unless agreed by the parties. 

We urge the Israeli government to reverse its decisions to further expand illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank. Settlements are illegal under international law and threaten the two-state solution. The EU will take work forward on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations which support them, as well as against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and entities and organizations which support them The EU reaffirms its commitment to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

We strongly condemn the ongoing extremist settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. We also call for safe access to the holy sites and for the Status Quo to be upheld. The special status and character of Jerusalem and its Old City, the inviolability of its sacred spaces and the viability of all its communities must be preserved and respected by all.

The EU stresses the essential role of the UN and its agencies, notably UNRWA which provides crucial support to the civilian population in Gaza, the West Bank and the wider region, and condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct its capacity to operate its mandate.

Chair,

The EU considers that it remains of utmost importance to restore a political horizon towards a two-state solution. We reiterate our support to the Palestinian Authority to help address its most pressing needs and support its reform agenda. The European Union will actively support and engage with international partners on concrete irreversible steps towards the two-state solution reviving a political process to this end, including through the holding of an international peace conference as soon as possible. The European Union stresses that a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood is a crucial component of that political process.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.