About: Middle East conflict
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.
Mogherini should appoint special envoy to the Middle East
Federica Mogherini, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, should appoint a new EU special envoy to the Middle East to engage and have an impact on the peace process in the region, writes Dr Nimrod Goren. VideoPromoted content
EU calls for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Middle East
On Wednesday, EU Foreign Affairs ministers expressed their concern at the continued escalation of violence in Gaza and called for “an immediate cessation” of the hostilities. VideoPromoted content
Israel’s Peres urges EU to blacklist Hezbollah, calls Iran ‘the greatest danger’
In a historic address to the European Parliament on Tuesday, Israeli president Shimon Peres urged Europe to place the Lebanese group Hezbollah on the EU's terrorist blacklist.
EU divided in UN vote on Palestine’s status
The 193-nation UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved the de-facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine. Fourteen EU countries voted in favour, 12 abstained and only the Czech Republic joined the United States and Israel in opposing the move.