UN / EU PALESTINE

Speaking on behalf of the EU members of the UN Security Council, Philippe Goffin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense of Belgium said “the annexation of any parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem constitutes a breach of International Law,” and that EU members “do not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over territories occupied since 1967.” UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:37
• Production Date: 11 February 2020
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: EUROPEAN UNION - EU; SECURITY COUNCIL
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY
• Geographic Subject: PALESTINE
• MAMS Id: 2530187
• Parent Id: 2530187
• Alternate Title: unifeed200211e

Description

STORY: UN / EU PALESTINE
TRT: 2:37
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS

DATELINE: 11 FEBRUARY 2020, NEW YORK CITY

Shotlist

FILE

1. Exterior shot, UN Headquarters

11 FEBRUARY 2020, NEW YORK CITY

2. Pan right, delegates coming to stakeout
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Philippe Goffin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense of Belgium:
“In line with long-standing EU position, we remain committed to a negotiated two-state solution based on 1967 line with equivalent land swaps as may be agreed between the parties – with the state of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition. The US initiative as presented on 28 January departs from these internationally agreed parameters.”
4. Med shot, delegation at the stakeout
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Philippe Goffin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense of Belgium:
“We reaffirm our concern about Israel’s settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory which is illegal on the International Law and constitutes an obstacle to peace and two state solution. We are also deeply concerned about the potential steps towards annexation after repeated calls for possible annexation of areas in the West bank. The annexation of any parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem constitutes a breach of International Law, undermines viability of two-state solution and challenges prospects for just, comprehensive and lasting peace. In line with International Law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, we do not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over territories occupied since 1967. We will continue to engage with parties and relevant stakeholders to revive political process in line with International Law which ensures equal rights and which is acceptable to both parties.”
6. Zoom out, delegation leaving stakeout

Storyline

Speaking on behalf of the EU members of the UN Security Council, Philippe Goffin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense of Belgium said “the annexation of any parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem constitutes a breach of International Law,” and that EU members “do not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over territories occupied since 1967.”

Goffin was speaking to reporters on Tuesday (11 Feb) in New York, before chairing the Security Council meeting on Palestine.

“In line with long-standing EU position, we remain committed to a negotiated two-state solution based on 1967 line with equivalent land swaps as may be agreed between the parties – with the state of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition,” said Goffin. “The US initiative as presented on 28 January departs from these internationally agreed parameters,” he added.

Underlining the commitment of the European Union to security of Israel and its readiness to work towards resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine, Foreign Minister said “we reaffirm our concern about Israel’s settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory which is illegal on the International Law and constitutes an obstacle to peace and two state solution.”

“We are also deeply concerned about the potential steps towards annexation after repeated calls for possible annexation of areas in the West bank,” Goffin further said. “The annexation of any parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem constitutes a breach of International Law, undermines viability of two-state solution and challenges prospects for just, comprehensive and lasting peace,” he said.

European Union members - in line with International Law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, “do not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over territories occupied since 1967,” according to the Belgian Foreign Minister.

“We will continue to engage with parties and relevant stakeholders to revive political process in line with International Law which ensures equal rights and which is acceptable to both parties,” he concluded.

At the United Nations Security Council, the European Union is currently represented by France, a permanent member of the UN 15-member body, and also Poland, Germany, Estonia and Belgium, who is chairing the Council during the month of February.