European Union Gaza Diplomacy

The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Borrell, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Samih Shukri, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, Ayman al-Safedi, and the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein. Ibrahim Taha.

According to the EU Commission statement, Borrell emphasized the need to urgently suspend conflicts in order to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and the danger of the conflict spreading to the region.

Stressing that civilians must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law, Borrell recalled that they asked Hamas to immediately release the hostages without preconditions.

It was stated that the situation in the West Bank was also discussed during the meetings. Borrell expressed the EU’s concern over attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians and noted that they strongly condemn these attacks.

Referring to the importance of revitalizing the Middle East peace process on the basis of the two-state solution, Borrell also discussed this issue with his Egyptian, Jordanian and Saudi interlocutors.

In his meeting with the secretary general of the OIC, Borrell stated that polarization must be avoided and religious tolerance spread, and that they condemned the attacks on Jewish facilities, such as the burning of the Koran. (AA)