The European Union seeks to play a greater role in “bringing peace to the Middle East,” with the Union’s Foreign Affairs Council calling for a 10-point plan, one of the goals of which is the establishment of a Palestinian state, and holding a “preparatory conference for peace” organized with Arab, American, and international participation, which also supports achieving comprehensive normalization between Israel and the Arabs.

Among the goals of the plan, which was circulated before the meeting of foreign ministers of the EU countries, yesterday, Monday, is the establishment of “an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel,” as well as “full normalization” of relations between Israel and the Arab world, and building a “political alternative” to the Hamas movement. The plan acknowledges the "unrealism" of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations in the near term.

Kawa Hassan, a non-resident researcher at the Stimson Center, told Al Jazeera Net, "The plan shows a growing awareness in Brussels, even from countries that support Israel, that the current situation is unsustainable."

The expert in Middle East and North African affairs stresses “the failure of the Oslo and Abraham Accords in their objectives, especially establishing a Palestinian state and providing security for Israel,” and that “the attack of last October 7, and then the destruction of Gaza, confirmed that patchwork solutions will not help in solving the problem.” 

"A solution to the continent's problems"

However, the plan has not yet been approved and remains unofficial. Daniel Gerlach, a German expert in the Middle East, confirms that there are "many divisions within the European Union over the current situation, including the vote on the ceasefire and the Israeli military operations in Gaza."

Gerlach, who is also the editor-in-chief of Zenit magazine, added to Al Jazeera Net, "Therefore, the Union presented a very general approach to include everyone in the discussion and focus on the long-term vision, specifically the vision of the two-state solution, which is supported by all the countries of the Union."

Gerlach continues that there are details that were not mentioned, including “the necessity for all European countries to recognize the Palestinian state before starting the plan, especially since some countries still refuse to do so,” highlighting also that the plan seeks to solve the continent’s problems in relation to the conflict, and not a solution to the conflict itself.

In turn, Kawa Hassan points out that the size of the European Union (27 countries) makes any agreement take time, but the size of the impact on Europe, the size of the tragedy in Gaza, the European Parliament’s call for a sustainable ceasefire, and then the increasing popular pressure in Europe, are all things that push the union to search for “real change and a comprehensive solution.”

The spokesman confirms that the Union has come to believe that the creation of a true Palestinian state will not be achieved except through comprehensive Arab normalization with Israel, especially from Saudi Arabia.

"Dishonest broker"

The final results of the meeting confirmed that the situation in Gaza is “catastrophic” and that it constitutes a priority in the talks. The statement said, "More deaths, more destruction, and more hardships to the Palestinian people will not help defeat Hamas and its ideology, nor will it bring more security to Israel."

The statement also pointed to the need to support UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees), talked about the post-war reality, and supported a plan for a two-state solution. The ministers affirmed “the Union’s strong support for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority,” as well as the continuation of sanctions against extremist settlers, and also touched on tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border and in the Red Sea.

However, there are those who doubt the possibility of the European Union playing any role, and consider it “part of the problem, not part of the solution, because of its unlimited cover for the occupying state and its double standards,” as Majed Al-Zeer, CEO of the European-Palestinian Council for Political Relations, put it to Al-Jazeera Net. 

Al-Zeer continues that the European Union recognizes “the existence of the Israeli occupation,” but nonetheless “provides legitimacy to the settlements” and has a strong partnership with Israel, pointing out that the core of the problem is “ending the occupation, dismantling the settlements, and implementing international law,” describing the presented plan as a “relations campaign.” from a union that has powerful tools to influence Israel, but does not do so for reasons including dependence on Washington's decisions.

An obstacle to the Netanyahu government

One of the biggest obstacles facing the plan is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to establish a Palestinian state, which escalated his dispute with Washington, which supports this goal. A number of European officials also criticized Netanyahu's statements, and the French Foreign Ministry described them as disturbing.

“The plan does not need to rely on Netanyahu’s government because it is a long-term plan, and it is not directed at him, but rather at Israeli public opinion, the Arab world, and the United States,” Daniel Gerlach points out, adding, “In my opinion, a number of European decision-makers want the fall of this government in order to advance the plan.” 

Gerlach continues, "The Union is trying to find support from the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank, and does not focus on the Palestinian Authority. The Union believes that Hamas should not be a political actor in the future, not only for the war and the October 7 attack, but also because no Israeli government will accept dealing with it, explains the expert.

For his part, Majed Al-Zeer believes that there is a European attempt to portray the Palestinians as a “deficient people,” while “it is their will that should rule.” He continues, "When extremists are chosen in the Israeli government, such as Itamar Ben Gvir, and are given the opportunity to rule, no one interferes, while guardianship is exercised over the Palestinian people," adding that the Palestinian people under the PLO are the ones who determine the political path.

Source: Al Jazeera