European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Monday that peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict is still far away while Palestinians need a credible political future.
In his opening remarks at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Forum 2023, Borrell emphasized that the solution to the conflict required a three-point agreement—first, the non-return of Hamas to Gaza; second, avoiding the dismemberment and recolonization of Gaza by Israeli forces after the end of ground operations; and finally, to prevent the continuation of the illegal colonization of the West Bank.
"I'm appalled to learn that in the middle of a war, the Israeli government is poised to commit new funds to build more illegal settlements. This is not self-defense and will not make Israel safer. The settlements are grave IHL [International Humanitarian Law] breach, and they are Israel's greatest security liability," Borrell commented on X after his speech.