Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-06-Speech-3-083"
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"en.20021106.7.3-083"2
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"Mr President, my group unconditionally condemns all violence in the Middle East. Victims among the civilian population are always unacceptable, whether they are at the hands of suicide attacks or the army. For years, Europe has tried to play a significant role in the conflict, but we are mainly fighting the symptoms rather than the root causes of the disease. What needs to happen is for people to start believing in the future again. People who have hope in the future have something to lose and are therefore prepared to fight for peace instead of plodding along in the status quo or, even worse, thinking that violence is the answer.
In order to guarantee a promising future, we demand serious efforts from both sides. The Palestinian Authority must, in the first instance, adopt a much tougher stance with regard to suicide attacks. Terrorists are not heroes, but killers, and must be approached accordingly. In addition, the Palestinian Authority must reform, and stamp out corruption, so that the Palestinian population can have confidence in their leaders.
Secondly, we ask Israel to call an end to the policy of using closures as a means of economic strangulation and humiliation. Payments to the Palestinians must also be resumed so that European money can once again be used for development projects in education and care rather than payment support. In addition, it remains unacceptable that settlements are still allowed to expand. The occupation and the settlements remain the biggest obstacle to real peace and security for everyone.
I am ashamed of the lack of European resolve in the area of the Middle East. Every day, innocent people die, and all we do is settle for declarations and meetings. As Palestine's largest donor and Israel's biggest trading partner, we should surely be able to do something more to accomplish our own European goals.
I should like to conclude with a comment about the forthcoming elections. Unfortunately, neither of the parties has put a sound peace plan on the table. It is really time that this was done, so that in January, Israelis and Palestinians will be able to vote for peace for themselves and for their neighbours."@en1
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