EU: US ‘peace deal’ won’t pass ‘unchallenged’

EU High Representative and Vice-President, Josep Borrell, yesterday rejected the US-drafted Middle East “peace” proposal to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict commonly known as the “deal of the century”, saying it will not pass unchallenged.

In a statement, Borrell stressed that the EU does not recognise Israel’s sovereignty over areas occupied in 1967 which include the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Syrian Golan Heights, in accordance with international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

He added that “steps towards annexation if implemented, could not pass unchallenged”.

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“The United States initiative… departs from these internationally agreed parameters,” he said.

“The European Union is fully committed to the transatlantic partnership and values all efforts to help find a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The EU recalls its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, based on 1967 lines, with equivalent land swaps, as may be agreed between the parties, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition – as set out in the Council Conclusions of July 2014,” he said.