92000E3531

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3531/00

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(13 November 2000)

Subject: Peace process in the Middle East

On 5 September 2000 the Speaker of the Knesset, Mr Avram Burg, and Mr Ahmed Qurie, his counterpart in the Palestinian Legislative Council, spoke at Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg on the situation in the Middle East, the future status of Jerusalem and the hopes for definitive peace in this troubled region of the planet. The speeches by the two Speakers were models of constructive attitudes, they were full of suggestions and ideas and revealed that at any rate majorities in the legislative bodies of both Israel and the Palestinian administration wished to advance along the road to reconciliation. A highly significant element in these speeches was the suggestion that Jerusalem should become a global capital, a centre for monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), so that instead of being a city of hatred it would become known as a city of love. Paradoxically, the suggestion by the Speakers of the two legislative bodies of Israel and Palestine did not appear to attract the interest of the Council or the Commission, who could adopt and promote it in order to eliminate the stalemate on the status of Jerusalem, thus increasing the European Union's prestige in the area and making a real contribution to consolidating peace.

Since the future of Jerusalem is at the heart of the Palestine issue and is a question that prompts fanatical acts, and even death, on both sides, is the Council looking at the possibility of the European Union promoting the suggestion that Jerusalem should be made into an international city and turned into a global capital for the three monotheistic religions, along the lines of a suggestion made by the parties involved in the region which could put a stop to the constant bloodshed which we are unfortunately witnessing once again in this region? If so, does the EU intend to use a military presence to guarantee smooth implementation of the proposal?

Reply

(24 April 2001)

The question of Jerusalem and that of the Holy Places will probably remain one of the most difficult issues to resolve in the context of the Middle East peace process. Many ideas have been put forward on all sides to break the deadlock concerning Jerusalem, including the idea of internationalisation of the city. The Council is in principle prepared to encourage any solution that takes into account the legitimate expectations of each Party and of the rest of the world. The Council is prepared to make its contribution to working out such a solution if the Parties so wish.