European leaders sought to project a united front following their disparate showing at the UN General Assembly Thursday in New York, which saw no consensus position adopted amongst member states at the vote on upgrading the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s status, as they looked to the challenging task of reigniting stalled Middle East peace talks.
Whilst the majority of European votes went as expected, with France and Spain pre-warning the international community of their intention to support the bid, close Israeli ally Italy played a surprise card in confirming it had voted in favour of granting the PA non-member observer status.
In a statement issued by the Italian foreign ministry, the government of Mario Montio insisted the "shock" decision formed “an integral part of the government’s aim to revive the peace process with the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, that can live side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition”.
Reiterating Monti’s “excellent relationship” with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, which has seen him appearing to echo the stance of his predecessor, pro-Israel Silvio Berlusconi, in visiting Israel twice in the last month alone, the official comment claimed the Italian premier had contacted both Netanyahu and “moderate leader” Abbas in advance of the vote to express Italy’s position, adding that it was a strike “against violence and in favour of dialogue as the only way to a lasting solution to the conflict”.
Appearing to rule out a clause in the General Assembly’s resolution that said the Security Council would “consider favourably” a Palestinian bid for full UN membership, which would constitute an effective unilateral declaration of statehood refused by the Council last year, the Italian statement concede that whilst an encouragement for the Palestinians to choose a path “against extremism”, it was not in its view a move toward unilateral statehood, as full membership of the UN could only be achieved “through negotiation and direct agreement between the parties”.
Reiterating Italy’s abiding “strong and traditional friendship toward Israel”, which has seen the country head off criticism by the EU foreign affairs Council in recent times, the foreign office confirmed Monti gave Netanyahu “Italy’s firm commitment to avoid any manipulation that could unduly lead Israel, which has a right to ensure its own security, before the International Criminal Court”.
Despite British Foreign Minister William Hague's announcement prior to the vote that given sufficient guarantees of the PA’s motives it would support the bid, British Ambassador to the UN Sir Mark Lyall Grant confirmed he had “not received those assurances”, leading to Britain’s widely-anticipated abstention from the vote.
Slamming the PA for bringing forward the resolution in the immediate aftermath of the US elections, America remaining fierce critics of the legitimacy of such a motion, he added that only a guarantee “that this would lead to an immediate and unconditional return to negotiation by the Palestinians” could have entreated Britain to support the bid, as he sought to reunite the international community in considering the next step in ongoing peace efforts in the region.
“In our view the focus now should be very much on the future and that is why we are encouraging the United States to show decisive leadership in energizing the parties to restart direct negotiations,” he added.
Speaking Friday following the UN vote of Germany’s surprise abstention, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle nevertheless spoke of the endorsement by a vote of 138 for – 9 against as “a contract for direct peace negotiations”. “The vote must be taken as an opportunity to resume direct peace talks as soon as possible,” he cautioned.
Regretting that “no common EU position could be reached”, he committed German efforts to pursuing a two state solution, in line with its ongoing policy, which he said was a product of “our responsibility for Israel and our commitment to a viable Palestinian state as a result of negotiations”.
Elsewhere, Socialist French President Francois Hollande insisted France yes decision was “consistent with the goal of two states living in peace and security. He said it duly reflected his “commitment to support the international recognition of the Palestinian State”.
However, he cautioned, the resounding result must be considered “as part of a settlement of just and comprehensive peace”, adding that in order to achieve this “negotiation must resume unconditionally and as soon as possible”.
“Direct dialogue is indeed the only way to find a lasting solution to this conflict,” he added, concluding that “France is ready to contribute, as a friend of both Israel and Palestine”.
The Belgian delegation voted in favour of the resolution, as they earlier announced, insisting that true progress would be achieved when the Palestinians were able to enjoy, on the ground, a state with institutions, officials and infrastructure necessary to function smoothly.
He agreed with the goal of a two-state solution, with a future state of Palestine that was democratic, viable and durable. The two-state solution was the only possible one, he stressed, and all efforts should be directed to that end. The resolution was not recognition of a State in full terms, he added.
In Belgium’s view, there was no alternative to negotiations, difficult as they may be. Priority should be placed on a swift resumption of peace talks. "Israel and the Palestinian Authority must both refrain from any unilateral act that would compromise the credibility of the peace process," and “the peace process must move faster”.
Other European countries to support the Palestinian bid included Greece, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta.
The only EU member state to vote against the resolution was close Israeli-ally the Czech Republic, with European states abstaining alongside Germany and the UK including Bulgaria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Explaining his country’s decision, the Dutch delegate said they supported EU rhetoric on the issue, as well as a peace agreement based on the borders of 1967, with a viable independent state of Palestine and a secure state of Israel living side by side in peace and security.
"The current status quo is untenable," he said. The Netherlands supported Palestinian efforts to achieve statehood, but would have preferred the resolution to be postponed, as it could threaten negotiations at this time.
For that reason, the Dutch government decided to abstain in the vote.