On Friday 3 June 2016, key nations and international organisations came together for the "Middle East Peace Initiative" ministerial meeting aimed at restarting the negotiation process for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, was invited by his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, to the meeting, which was opened by the French President François Hollande. The nations and organisations present included the Quartet on the Middle East, composed of the US, the EU, Russia and the UN; the permanent members of the Security Council, certain European countries and the Arab League.

Unanimous in the opinion that the two-state solution would be the only means of achieving lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, participants condemned the current developments on the ground, including the continuation of Israel's settlement policy and the acts of violence which threaten prospects for a solution which would see the two states co-existing peacefully.

"We must convince Israel that a peace treaty creating a Palestinian state is in fact the only guarantee for its own security, politically and demographically," said Minister Asselborn, adding that "the idea that there is an alternative to this solution is perhaps the most dangerous illusion, but it is becoming more and more popular. A fair and lasting peace in the Middle East can only be guaranteed through the existence of two sovereign and independent states. A "peace process" worthy of the name must lead to the settlement of the conflict based on the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital."

The minister further lamented that "unfortunately, the illegal settlement policy persists and bars the way to a political solutions. Since Oslo, the number of Israeli settlers has more than doubled. This policy is an affront against the Palestinian people but also against the international community. This behaviour indeed raises doubts about the willingness of Israel to reach a two-state solution. This solution is gradually disappearing with every new Israeli constructiion on Palestinian land, with every new destruction of Palestinian structures."

"The Israeli government policy can and should be criticised, but Israels' right to existence is inviolable," Minister Asselborn concluded. "The Israelis have the right to live in peace and security, just as Palestinians must be able to live in dignity and to freely determine their future."

The efforts initiated at the meeting, which was held without the presence of Israel or Palestine, will continue during the year through the organisation of an international conference to which all parties will be invited.

 

Photo by MAEE (L-R): Ban-Ki Moon; Jean Asselborn; Jean-Marc Ayrault