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EU Vows to Combat Antisemitism and Promote Peace in Middle East

The European Union (EU) has announced a series of measures aimed at combating antisemitism, promoting peace, and reducing violence in the Middle East.

Combating Antisemitism and Hate Speech

  • The EU emphasizes the importance of condemning and eliminating all forms of hate speech and violent behavior, regardless of context.
  • The bloc reiterates its position that schoolbooks and materials on both sides must adhere to UNESCO standards promoting peace, tolerance, coexistence, and non-violence.

Palestinian School Textbooks

  • The EU has expressed deep concern over the problematic content in Palestinian school textbooks, which has yet to be removed.
  • The bloc has called for education and access to peaceful and unbiased textbooks to be ensured, particularly in light of rising involvement of teenagers in terrorist attacks.

Financial Support to Palestinian Authority

  • The EU will only provide financial support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the area of education if textbook content is aligned with UNESCO standards.
  • All antisemitic references must be deleted, and examples of hate speech removed.

Abraham Accords and Regional Relations

  • The EU has recognized the Abraham Accords as a factor in reorganizing interstate relations in the region.
  • The bloc has pledged to engage in dialogue with Arab countries that have signed the agreement to explore how it can contribute to a two-state solution, Palestinian economic development, and regional growth.

Israeli Actions in Occupied Palestinian Territory

  • The EU demands that Israel stop destroying vital civilian infrastructure and illegally exploiting water and land resources in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including East Jerusalem.
  • The bloc has urged support for reconstruction and development projects in the Gaza Strip and called for necessary efforts to be made.

Political Representation and Elections

  • The EU has supported Palestinian calls for renewed and inclusive political representation, urging the Palestinian leadership to hold free, credible, inclusive, transparent, and fair parliamentary and presidential elections without further delay.
  • The bloc has emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary and respect for freedom of expression.

Access to Occupied Palestinian Territory

  • The EU has called on Israel to allow Members of the European Parliament to access the oPt, including Gaza.
  • The bloc has also offered to deploy an EU election observation mission to the oPt upon the announcement of general elections.

Free and Democratic Elections

  • The EU has stressed the importance of free, fair, and democratic elections and urged all parties involved to respect this principle.
  • The bloc has called for East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to be brought under one legitimate, democratic PA rule.

Promoting Peace and Stability in Region

  • The EU has pledged to support Palestinian presence and development in Area C and the PA’s assumption of full control of this area.
  • The bloc has also called on the PA to guarantee respect for the principles of the rule of law and separation of powers, as well as independence of the judiciary.

Concerns Over Civil Society

  • The EU has expressed concern over the shrinking space for civil society.
  • The bloc has urged the PA to eliminate repressive restrictions on funding and registration of non-governmental organizations and not to arbitrarily detain people exercising their fundamental rights.