The Western position on the Palestinian cause

Authors

souha kassem, jinan universityFollow

Abstract

The European positions on the Palestinian cause varied between clarity and ambiguity. For example, Britain’s position was transparent and clear towards Israel regarding the necessity of implementing international resolutions regarding Jerusalem and the territories occupied in 1967. On the other hand, there were other statements saying that Jerusalem is an unresolved issue that must be negotiated, and this is what the majority of European union countries have adopted, through a statement regarding their categorical refusal to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and to acknowledge the lands of Jerusalem are occupied territories, and to resolve the dispute over them by sitting at the negotiating table. The European Union took a positive position on the problems of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including the issue of Jerusalem and the rights of the Palestinian people, regarding the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the territories occupied in 1967. Thus, it rejected the Israeli settlement policy, adhering to the two-state solution, and refusing to recognize the Israeli changes in the territories occupied in 1967. This is in addition to the European Union support for Palestinian reconciliation at more than one stage, and its willingness to resolve unresolved issues, and provide financial support. All of these data indicate that the European Union is qualified to play the role of mediator in the peace settlement process. However, it remains limited due to different factors: mainly the American hegemony and its attempt to limit European participation in global issues, including the settlement of the Palestinian issue. Given the increased awareness of the European public opinion on the Palestinian issue and the suffering of the Palestinian people, its solidarity and support for the Palestinian people in various forms is a mere proof of its significant role, solidarity, and moral responsibility especially after the Israeli media tried to obscure the facts and distort the image of the Palestinian people, whose resistance was described as terrorist. This awareness was accompanied by the European Union›s influential role in the peace process in the Middle East and its endeavor to find a solution to the Palestinian issue.

Recommended Citation

kassem, souha (2023) "The Western position on the Palestinian cause," Al Jinan الجنان: Vol. 18, Article 13.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/aljinan/vol18/iss1/13