Check against delivery! 

Opening Remarks 

Honourable President,

Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

Last week I visited the Middle East. The visit came at a particularly volatile time, just days after the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza, which has caused an appalling loss of life.

Through this visit I wanted to send a clear sign of the European Union’s commitment to de-escalation and support for an immediate ceasefire.

My message was clear: in a new war, both sides lose.

I had the chance to pass clear messages underscoring the European Union’s priorities for Gaza, as stated by European Union leaders at the European Council in March: the release of all hostages; an immediate return to the ceasefire; and the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries at scale into the Gaza strip.

I started my visit in Egypt, where I met with Foreign Minister Abdelatty to discuss bilateral and regional topics. I also met with the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, with whom we issued a joint statement on the Arab Plan for Gaza. 

I then travelled to Israel to meet President Herzog, Foreign Minister Sa’ar and opposition leader Lapid. I also met the relatives of hostages held by Hamas, and paid a visit to Yad Vashem. 

In Palestine, I met the President Abbas and Prime Minister Mustafa. I also met with the Heads of the EU Border Assistance mission in Rafah and our EU Police Mission, to express my appreciation for the work of the two missions.

The resumption of negotiations is the most viable way to find a way forward and get the hostages out. I reiterated the European Union’s full support to the efforts of the negotiators. 

It is clear that violence only feeds more violence. 

The Arab Plan, albeit still not conclusive on some very important issues of governance, security and cost-sharing, remains relevant even in the context of resumed hostilities.

And I was clear on the Two-State solution, as the only way to reach sustainable peace and security for Israel, the Palestinians, and the region.

The European Union has repeatedly stated that there must be no role for Hamas in Gaza’s governance.

The popular protests ongoing in Gaza are an important development. Gazans are making their voices heard to try to shape a better future. 

In the West Bank, another serious situation is unfolding, which I also raised with my interlocutors during my visit.

The Israeli operation against armed militants in the refugee camps of the Northern West Bank has led to casualties, displacement of some 40,000 Palestinians and the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure. 

In parallel, settler violence, the approval of new settlements, evictions, demolitions, and forced transfers of Palestinians are increasing.

All these actions are seriously undermining the viability of the Palestinian Authority, but also causing harm to the Palestinian people.

Honourable Members,

The European Union is the biggest donor of aid too Palestinians in Gaza and occupied West Bank. The European Union is playing its part to try to ease the difficult situation in the occupied territories. Just three examples: 

First, through our humanitarian aid. The Commission announced initial funding of 120 million euro for Gaza in 2025. This brings the total to over 450 million euro since 2023.

Our partners on the ground worked tirelessly to fill the warehouses in Gaza during the two-month ceasefire. The European Union also remains committed in its support to UNRWA. 

Second, at the request of all parties, our EUBAM Rafah mission was reactivated at the Rafah Crossing Point. It helped more than 4,000 people to cross the border, including more than 1,600 requiring medical attention, during the temporary ceasefire. 

The resumed hostilities led to the closure of the Rafah Crossing Point, but the mission is ready to return when conditions [allow], and they are also ready to help to give the humanitarian aid.

Thirdly, in the context of seeking stability of the West Bank, but also in the view of the Palestinian Authority’s return to Gaza, the European Union will continue to provide support to the Palestinian Authority linked with reforms.

The first-ever High-Level Dialogue with the Palestinian Authority is also in two weeks’ time and it represents a significant milestone in our relations with the Palestinians.

It is also the occasion to discuss all of these issues, in the presence of European Union Ministers, and confirm our support to peace in the region.

Thank you. 

Link to the video (starting at 0:55): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-269866 

Closing remarks  

Honourable Members, 

I think this debate today shows very well why we do not have a common agreement in the Council. I mean, this is exactly why. You heard positions from different angles – and this is the same thing we have in the Council.

But instead of focusing on what we do not agree on, we also agree on many things. We agree on the immediate priorities: the release of hostages, immediate return to the ceasefire, as well as the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries at scale into Gaza.

We are condemning the appalling loss of life, and it is very painful to see what is happening in Gaza. We have been condemning this all the time.

We are the ones who are supporting the Palestinians. With the humanitarian aid, with the help to UNRWA, with the help to the Palestinian Authority. When I am talking about a balanced approach I am talking about the Two-State Solution – because right now it is not balanced.

Israel and Palestine are not in an equal basis, because it is not the situation.

We need to continue to support and encourage the role of the mediators. Of course, what was also said here, we are also engaging with our Arab partners for the day after.

When it comes to my meetings in Israel, I only shook hands with one Minister, the Foreign Minister.

My predecessor stopped the Association Council. Did it make the situation better? It did not. The Association Council, or the Association Agreement, gives us the opportunity to say all these things that you are saying here to Israelis, to the representative of Israel – because this is exactly what we did when we had the Association Council. Where 27 Member States were also able to express what they think about this.

I totally agree that humanitarian law very clearly says you cannot attack civilians, and you cannot attack civilian infrastructure.

When it comes to the ICC, the European Union supports the ICC, and all the Member States who are members of the Rome Statute should also follow the obligations that they have taken under this Rome Statute.

As we know, the issue we have in the Council regarding the sanctions – we have to have unanimity. It is not even a majority vote, it is unanimity. Everybody needs to be on board. When we see what is happening with the ICC and what is happening in some Member States right now, then you can see what is the difficulty here. It is very hard to see everything that is going on.

On the Association Agreement. If we suspend it, will it stop the killing?

Of course we have, in the [middle] to long-term, we have supported Palestinian Authority – because it will be crucial also for the stability of the West Bank. 

It is being undermined all the time. We are the ones who are supporting them in view of the governance of Gaza. I also agree with those Members who say that Hamas should have no role when it comes to the governance of Gaza for the day after. It is a question of security of Israel, as well as the rights of Palestinians, that need to be respected. 

So therefore, we also need to engage with our Arab partners and see what more we can do within the rules that we have agreed amongst ourselves with the 27 countries with 27 different views.

Thank you. 

• Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-269868