About: Middle East conflict
Annexations in the West Bank: Europeans need to punch their weight
Last week, EU foreign ministers emphasised that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the Union’s strategic interests and that they discourage possible steps towards annexations. In this vein, the EU and its member states should send a clear signal, Muriel Asseburg and Peter Lintl argue.
Israel swears in unity government, PM insists on West Bank annexation
Israel's parliament swore in a new unity government on Sunday (17 May) led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the nation's history.
Abbas says Palestinians cutting all ties with Israel, US
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas announced Saturday (1 February) a cut of all ties with Israel and the United States, including security cooperation, after Washington unveiled a controversial Middle East plan seen as favouring Israel.
Trump’s son-in law and Middle East adviser Kushner meets EU leaders
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East peace adviser Jared Kushner met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels on Tuesday (4 June).
Palestinians turn to EU to counter Kushner plan
The Palestinians are asking the European Union to pick up the mantle in defence of the two-state solution if the upcoming US peace plan ditches Palestinian statehood, their UN envoy said Tuesday (7 May).
Deadly escalation as Israel retaliates over Gaza rockets
Israel carried out waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday (5 May) after Palestinian rockets hit Israeli cities, in a deadly escalation that showed no signs of slowing and raised fears of war.
Mogherini’s tarnished legacy
Paradoxically it was the EU’s closest partner, the United States, that has done most to damage Federica Mogherini's legacy as High Representative with a full-scale assault on the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, writes Fraser Cameron.
In Sofia, EU leaders will seek united front on Trump
European Union leaders will try to forge a united response at a summit today (16 May) to US President Donald Trump's shock decisions on the Iran nuclear deal and trade tariffs.
Mogherini urges ‘utmost restraint’ after Gaza deaths
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday (14 May) urged "utmost restraint" after at least 37 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during protests against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
EU asks whether Israel used ‘proportionate’ force in Gaza
The EU raised questions Saturday (7 April) about whether Israeli troops engaged in "proportionate use of force" in the latest border clashes that left nine Palestinians dead in the Gaza Strip.
EU rebuffs Netanyahu’s Jerusalem call
The EU's diplomatic chief on Monday (11 December) bluntly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that Europe would follow the US in recognising Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital, saying there would be no change to its stance on the holy city.
Erdogan and Macron take lead in urging US to turn back on Jerusalem decision
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and France's Emmanuel Macron will work together to try to persuade the United States to reconsider its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a Turkish presidential source said on Saturday (9 December).
Hamas, Fatah sign deal on Palestinian reconciliation
Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement on Thursday (12 October) on ending a decade-long split following talks mediated by Egypt in Cairo, with president Mahmud Abbas calling it a "final" accord.
US, Israel leave UNESCO for good
The United States and its ally Israel said yesterday (12 October) they were pulling out of the UN's culture and education body in a move that underlined Washington's drift away from international institutions.
France and Germany frown at Trump’s Middle East policy
France and Germany consider the US position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict confusing and risking ending the prospect of a two-state solution and fuel conflict in the region, the two leading EU countries said yesterday (16 February).
Agencies: Russia says close to joint military action with US in Aleppo
Russia and the United States are close to starting joint military action against militants in Syria's Aleppo, Russian news agencies on Monday (15 August) quoted Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying.
It’s time for Iran to become a constructive partner in Middle East
The fact that Iran managed to come to an agreement not just with the United States, but also with Russia, the EU and China shows that it is able to build confidence with a diverse array of players, writes Dr Willem Oosterveldt.
Commission lauds Jordan for bringing Middle East scientists together
Research, Science and Innovation Commissioner Carlos Moedas said yesterday (13 October) that one of the best project in the world in terms of science diplomacy was the particle accelerator SESAME in Amman, Jordan, launched in 2003 under the auspices of UNESCO.
EU calls for restraint as some see a third Intifada start
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini called the Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday (11 October) and stressed that any reaction to a latest escalation of violence should be proportionate.
Blair steps down as Middle East envoy
Former British premier Tony Blair is standing down as the Quartet representative in the Middle East, the organisation said yesterday (27 May), after eight years of struggling to break ground in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia strive for Sunni leadership
The regional environment will likely push Ankara into a more confrontational stance regarding Tehran, as Turkey vies for a leading role in the Sunni world, writes global intelligence company Stratfor.
After recognising Palestine, Swedish legislators spar
One day after the Swedish government officially recognised the state of Palestine, members of the Parliament, Riksdagen, disagreed on whether this decision was right or "immature".
Sweden recognises Palestinian state
The Swedish government officially recognised the state of Palestine on Thursday (30 October), the first Western European country to do so, reflecting growing international exasperation over the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström told reporters her government hoped it would bring a new dynamic to the situation.