About: Palestine
EU efforts to observe the Palestinian election fall flat
Israel has so far failed to respond to the European Union’s request to monitor the first Palestinian elections in 15 years, EURACTIV has learned, significantly reducing the chances of ensuring an adequate observer presence at this key milestone.
Munich Security Conference – Day #3
As high-ranking security leaders gather in Bavaria for the annual Munich Security Conference this weekend, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into what is driving the conversation on foreign, defence and security policy. Here’s Day 3 in a nutshell.
EU lawmakers slam Trump’s Middle East peace plan
A majority of EU lawmakers harshly criticised Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan during a plenary session on Tuesday (11 February), denouncing it as going against international law and being biased in favour of Israel.
Israel summons Belgian envoy over UN invite to children rights activist
Israel has summoned a top Belgian diplomat for a "very harsh" rebuke after it invited activist Brad Parker to address the UN Security Council on Tuesday (11 February).
Luxembourg urges EU debate on Palestine recognition
Luxembourg on Monday (9 December) asked for an EU-level debate on recognising Palestinian statehood, securing a promise that EU foreign ministers would "deeply discuss" the Middle East in January.
Israel prepares to demolish homes on Jerusalem outskirts, stoking Palestinian fears
Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday (22 July), in the face of Palestinian protests and international criticism. Bulldozers accompanied by hundreds of Israeli...
Iran-US tensions dominate two Central Asia summits
Two regional summits held in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan last week had a common denominator: the support from Russia and China to Iran in the face of US threats after two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
EU ‘regrets’ US decision to end funding for Palestinian refugee agency
Palestinians reacted angrily Saturday (1 September) to a US decision to end all funding for the UN agency that assists three million needy refugees, seeing it as a new policy shift aimed at undermining their cause.
Jordan says Palestinian refugees at risk with UN agency in crisis
Jordan warned on Wednesday (8 August) that a severe financial shortfall facing a United Nations agency that helps Palestinian refugees could have a "catastrophic" impact on the lives of millions of refugees in the region.
EU calls on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinian children
Alarmed by the conditions of Palestinian children in the Israeli military judicial system, the EU has called on Israel, through its representatives in Jerusalem and Ramallah, to respect the children's rights. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Spanish MEP: Time, status quo working against two-state solution
Elena Valenciano Spanish MEP, who headed a socialist delegation on a five-day fact-finding mission to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories this week, spoke to EFE in Jerusalem on Wednesday (28 March).
Abbas calls for new UN Mideast peace talks format
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas yesterday (20 February) called for an international conference to be held later this year to launch a new, wider Middle East peace process and pave the way to Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian leader gets little out of EU as row with US persists
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Monday (22 January) urged the EU to "swiftly" grant official recognition to the state of Palestine as he sought support in Brussels amid a bitter row with Washington over the US plan to move its embassy to Jerusalem.
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.
Unity of Palestinian groups: What the EU should do
The EU can play an effective role to achieve the main objective which is the two-state solution. Initially, it should recognise Palestine based on the 1967 borders and condition it with disarming Hamas, writes Hamid Bahrami.
Israel needs good relations with Europe
Israel has a vested interest in a strong European Union. It needs European partners in order to maintain its Zionist vision of a Jewish state. But Europe is losing interest in the Middle East peace process and Israel itself is not helping matters, warns Nitzan Horowitz.
Netanyahu snubs German foreign minister in NGO row
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled talks on Tuesday (25 April) with Germany's foreign minister in a rare move after the visiting diplomat declined to call off meetings with rights groups critical of Israel's government.
Israel-Palestine deal remains EU’s ‘top priority’
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini yesterday (27 March) reiterated the EU's commitment to a two-state solution and its opposition to Israel's settlements in Palestine. EURACTIV Spain reports.
If only it were Obama: Merkel to meet Trump in clash of style and substance
*She is controlled and cautious, a physicist from East Germany who takes her time making decisions and has never relished the attention that comes from being Europe's most powerful leader.
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).
New Israeli settlements ‘seriously undermine’ peace, EU says
The European Union Tuesday (24 January) warned that Israel's announcements that it will build thousands of new settler homes in occupied Palestinian territory "further seriously undermine" prospects for a two-state solution.
EU leaders pay tribute as Shimon Peres dies at 93
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini lead tributes Wednesday (28 September) to Shimon Peres, one of the biggest figures in Israeli history, who died aged 93.
Aid NGO calls for transparency in Hamas ‘donations’ trial
One of the world biggest development NGOs is locked in a battle with Israel over opening up the trial of one of its employees accused of siphoning off donations to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.