THE PLAN by Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman for Israel to cut ties with the Gaza Strip, essentially turning Gaza into an independent entity, received a cool reception yesterday from the European Union’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Mr Lieberman in Jerusalem, Baroness Ashton stressed that the EU remains committed to a two-state solution, with the West Bank and Gaza part of a single Palestinian entity.
“The solution is a two-state solution, in line with what has been said by the [Middle East] Quartet and the EU, and Gaza should be part of this,” she said. “I’ve made this clear to Mr Lieberman.”
The Israeli foreign minister said his plan should be given serious consideration and he called on EU member states to help with infrastructure projects such as electricity and water that will help end Gaza’s dependence on Israel. Mr Lieberman said he had discussed his proposals with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, even though the ideas have not received the backing of the Israeli government.
Egyptian officials also rejected Mr Lieberman’s plans, accusing Israel of attempting to make Cairo take full responsibility from Israel for events in Gaza.
Baroness Ashton arrived in Jerusalem after visiting Gaza for the second time in six months.
In Gaza she called on Israel to go beyond its easing of the blockade and open up the border crossings. “The position of the European Union is very clear: that we want the opportunity for people to be able to move around freely, to see goods not only coming into Gaza but exports coming out of Gaza,” she said, calling for international pressure to move forward.
Ms Ashton offered to send EU monitors to help operate the crossings on the condition that they have a clear mandate and will work alongside the Palestinian Authority, which was toppled from power in Gaza by Hamas fighters in 2007.
The EU has maintained a skeleton staff in the region from its previous border control mission which operated at the Gaza border prior to the Hamas takeover.
During a tour of a Gaza factory Baroness Ashton unveiled plans for €22 million in EU grants to help some 900 local companies.
Her visit to the region coincided with a renewed push by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell for Israel and the Palestinians to renew direct peace talks.
However, prospects for a breakthrough did not seem encouraging after separate meetings in Cairo yesterday between Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Mitchell.
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told reporters the basis to move from indirect to direct talks is still “lacking”. Arab League representatives will meet next week to discuss the American request for them to give the green light to the Palestinians for direct negotiations. Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa said written guarantees from the US were required before the organisation would agree to upgrade the talks.
The Palestinians insist that the 1967 green line border between Israel and the West Bank be the basis for the future border and that international forces be deployed as part of a peace deal.
Israel has drawn up a list of concessions it is willing to make but will only implement them once direct talks are under way.
The Palestinian leadership refused to resume direct talks until Israel implemented a total construction freeze throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel would only agree to a partial 10-month building moratorium which expires in September.