B4-0728, 0807, 0808, 0809, 0813 and 0815/97

Resolution on the murderous attacks carried out in Jerusalem on 30 July and 4 September 1997 and on the Middle East peace process

The European Parliament,

- recalling its previous resolutions on the situation in the Middle East,

- having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425,

A. deeply shocked by the bomb attacks carried out on 30 July and 4 September 1997 in the very heart of Jerusalem which resulted in a number of people being killed or injured and for which Hamas has claimed responsibility,

B. worried by the resumption of the fighting in Southern Lebanon which has resulted in a large number of victims,

C. very worried by the stalemate in the peace process resulting from the decision of the Israeli Government to suspend the Oslo Accords and reminding the Israeli Government of the need to refrain from taking any action that undermines the negotiations forming part of the peace process,

D. convinced that the peace process can make progress only if both the Palestinian Authority and Israel adhere strictly to the principles and agreements to which they have subscribed,

E. hoping that the European Union will play a more active political role in the region and in the revival of the peace process, and having regard, in this connection, to the recent proposals made and initiatives taken by the President-in-Office of the Council,

1. Repeats its total condemnation of all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns the attacks which resulted in several people being killed or injured and expresses its sympathy to the families of the victims;

2. Considers it essential, if a global and stable peace is to be achieved in the region, for mutual confidence to be restored and for the dialogue to be reopened between Palestinians and Israelis on the implementation of the Oslo Accords and on the fixing of the agenda for the negotiations on the settlements, the final status of the Occupied Territories, the status of Jerusalem and the refugee problem;

3. Welcomes the initiative taken by Mr Poos, President-in-Office of the Council, who wrote to the American Secretary of State, Mrs Albright, and supports the proposal that a Permanent Security Committee, which should include the United States and the European Union, be set up with a view to the joint management of the crisis; calls on all the interested parties to respond positively to that proposal;

4. Welcomes, further, the fact that the President-in-Office of the Council has revived the European Union's idea concerning the conclusion of a 'Code of Conduct' between the two parties, calls on them to subscribe thereto and, in particular, to give the following undertakings:

- an undertaking from Israel concerning the next phase of redeployment, as provided for in the Interim Accord,

- full and sustained cooperation by the Palestinians as regards security, including the fight against terrorism,

- an undertaking to refrain from taking any unilateral action (especially the settlements) which might prejudice any final decisions;

5. Notes, in this connection, the appeal made by the American Secretary of State, Mrs Albright, on Thursday, 11 September 1997 for a suspension of the colonization of the Occupied Territories and deplores the Israeli Government's refusal to entertain that proposal;

6. Notes, further, the American wish to see the campaign against terrorism stepped up within the Occupied Territories and calls on the United States and the European Union to review, together with the Palestinian authorities, the possibilities of cooperation on that issue;

7. Appeals urgently to all the parties concerned to do their utmost to ensure that the meeting between Israelis and Palestinians to be held in New York at the end of this month has the best prospects for success with a view to the revival of the peace process;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, the Israeli Government, the Palestinian Authority and the US Administration.