Western positions critical of Israeli policy increased after the Israeli Prime Minister’s refusal Benjamin Netanyahu Calls for a two-state solution: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday that the two-state solution is the only solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Australian government also confirmed its support for the two-state solution.
Before attending a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, Birbock explained that the two-state solution that would allow peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians is the only solution to the ongoing conflict.
She added, “All those who say they do not want to hear anything about such a solution have not offered any alternative,” and also called for an urgent “humanitarian halt” to the war raging in the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the Australian government confirmed that it supports the two-state solution “under which Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and prosperity.”
The government urged Israel to fulfill its commitment and respect international law in its military operations in Gaza, and affirmed its rejection of any reduction in the area of Gaza territory and any permanent Israeli presence there.
For his part, European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell stressed on Monday the two-state solution to put an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, stressing that Israel cannot build peace “by military means alone.”
Borrell repeated the United Nations’ condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “unacceptable” rejection of calls to establish a Palestinian state after the Gaza war.
In turn, French Foreign Minister Stephane Ségornet said – today, Monday – that he hopes that the European Union will impose sanctions on Israelis who commit acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Today, Monday, the 27 European Union foreign ministers are scheduled to meet first with their Israeli counterpart, Yisrael Katz, and later separately with their Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Maliki, to discuss prospects for achieving permanent peace after Netanyahu rejected calls for a two-state solution.
The European Union is seeking to unify its position on the conflict in Gaza in light of the rejection of strong supporters of Israel, such as Germany, the demand for an immediate ceasefire put forward by countries such as Spain and Ireland.