Foreign Ministers of the European Union declared Tuesday support for dividing Jerusalem to be the capital of both Israel and the future Palestinian State. They said that a solution should be found to enable this concept.EU Foreign Ministers issued a statement calling for finding a solution through peace talks to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestine. The EU statement angered Israeli leaders as they consider Jerusalem, holy for Muslims, Jews and Christians, as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel.
The vote came after Sweden presented a draft resolution calling for dividing the city. Israel said that this proposal would harm its relation with the EU and would impact EU’s ability to be a mediator in Middle East peace talks.
The ministerial draft of the EU states that it will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including in East Jerusalem as the city was also illegal captured by Israel following the 1967 six-day war.
The draft also called for establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
Yet, Israel does not regard Jerusalem as part of the occupied territories and insists that the city is the eternal capital and will not be subject to any peace talks.
Jean Asselborn, Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, said that the Israelis have the right to live in Israel and the Palestinians have the right to live in Palestine, and added that Israel must accept the fact the Palestine consists of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
Furthermore, the Finish of Foreign Minister, Alexander Stubb, said that the European Union opposes Israel’s settlement activities and believes that Israel must halt all constructions.
EU Foreign Ministers welcomed Israel’s 10-month freeze of settlement activities and considered it a step in the right direction.
They also called for a comprehensive treaty to achieve peace between Israel and the Arab World.
