Arab League calls for EU pressure on Israel to abide by international law

The deputy secretary-general of the Arab League has called on the European Union to “put pressure on Israel to abide by international law.” Ahmed Bin Helli made his comments in an interview with Turkey’s Anadolu news agency after the 4th meeting of the Arab League permanent representatives and their counterparts at the European Union’s Political and Security Committee (PSC) in Brussels on Wednesday.

“The European Union should play a more effective role in advancing the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis,” explained the Arab League official. “The EU could contribute to a peaceful solution by taking clear decisions and stating clearly that Israel is obstructing the peace process by breaching international laws and not following UN resolutions.”

Bin Helli suggested that the EU’s special relationship with Israel in the field of modern technology could be used as a lever to put pressure on the Zionist state. “When the Palestinians have full access to their legitimate rights,” he stressed, “there will be more calm and development in the region.”

The challenges represented by immigrants from Arab countries remain economic, added the League’s deputy secretary-general, and so must be resolved within the Arab countries by increasing development programmes and cooperation with the EU.