Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-09-07-Speech-3-147"
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"en.20050907.18.3-147"2
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".
Mr President, we see Israel’s departure from Gaza as very positive, and it must represent the beginning of a new process leading to peace in the Middle East. The European Union should guarantee that every possible effort is made to improve the quality of life of Palestinians in Gaza. The Union ought also to guarantee access to the economy and the opening of the port and the airport as soon as possible. In addition it should press for the development of other aspects of economic activity, such as connection and communication between Gaza and the West Bank.
Nevertheless, in contrast to the hope represented by Gaza, we fear that the current Israeli policy in Jerusalem may slam shut the so-called window of opportunity just at the most sensitive and volatile point of the conflict. We are absolutely delighted that the majority of Israelis and their government appear to have abandoned the idea of a ‘Greater Israel’, but we regret that that project may possibly be replaced with that of a ‘Greater Jerusalem’ spreading relentlessly over Palestinian territory. So far, 164 km2 of the West Bank have been appropriated, to the north, the east and the south of the city of Jerusalem.
This unilateral appropriation does not serve Israel’s interests, because it jeopardises any stable peace and security agreement, and is creating a worrying situation on the ground, from the point of view of demography and town-planning. The construction work would effectively amputate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and destroy the territorial continuity that is essential to any future remotely viable or credible Palestinian State. That is a recipe for disaster. The policy would leave the Palestinian cities of Bethlehem, Ramallah and East Jerusalem practically cut off from each other.
The E1 Project, which plans homes for 15 000 people, hotels and industrial areas to the east of Jerusalem is of particular concern, and I hope the Council and the Commission will take due note of this. In reality, the project would complete the process of separating the north of the West Bank from the south. The European Union must aim to ensure that Jerusalem becomes a city populated by two peoples, two nations, and also the capital of two viable States living in peace."@en1
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