B4-0342, 0343, 0344, 0345, 0346, 0347 and 0352/97

Resolution on the situation in the Middle East

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East peace process, more particularly those of 14 November 1996 ((OJ C 362, 2.12.1996, p. 255.)) and 13 March 1997 ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 11.)),

- having regard to UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338,

- having regard to the Council Declarations of 1 October 1996 and 27 February 1997 on the Middle East,

A. whereas the building of new Israeli settlements, particularly in East Jerusalem, goes against UN Security Council resolution 242 and is a major obstacle to peace,

B. whereas a new wave of violence and terrorist attacks has claimed many victims among the civilian population in Israel,

C. whereas terrorism must never be considered an appropriate means of defending a cause,

D. having regard to the most recent European Union initiative, drawn up on 7 April 1997, involving the proposal to the Israelis and Palestinians of a "code of conduct¨ based on three principles: a firm commitment by the Palestinian Authority to step up the fight against violence and terrorism with a view to allaying Israeli fears, the renunciation of unilateral initiatives and a freeze on the building of new Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories,

E. whereas, both in Israel and among the Palestinians, many voices are being raised in favour of a resumption of the peace negotiations in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Oslo and Madrid agreements, and convinced that a way forward can be found but only by adhering strictly to the principles and agreements both Israelis and Palestinians have endorsed,

1. Asks all parties concerned to respect the Oslo agreements in all their aspects, with special regard to the future status of Jerusalem, and repeats its call for an immediate stop to the Har Homa project;

2. Condemns the recent terrorist acts and offers its condolences to the families of the terrorist victims;

3. Reiterates its emphatic condemnation of any act of terrorism which arbitrarily strikes at innocent people and calls on the Palestinian and Israeli authorities to take all the measures required to eradicate terrorism on and from the territories under their control;

4. Appeals to neighbouring states to promote the peace process by urging the parties to adhere to and to implement the principles and agreements they have endorsed;

5. Supports the Council's action and calls on the United States to respond favourably to the proposed "code of conduct¨ and lend it support in a joint move with the European Union with a view to relaunching the peace process;

6. Calls, further, on the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to take account of the most recent Council proposals and to act accordingly;

7. Looks to the Israeli Government to take positive steps to boost the economy in the territories under Palestinian control including the opening of the port of Gaza and improved means of transport and communication, particularly as regards links between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the work to build the port and airport in Gaza, so as to help the Palestinian people out of their isolation, poverty and social distress;

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