EU urges ‘transparency’ in Gaza, end of Israeli closure

This evening’s document issued by the EU council “urges all Palestinian factions to engage in good faith in the reconciliation process which is an important element for reaching the two state solution.”

The union will “continue its support to Palestinian aspirations for Statehood,” the statement says, but “it is of the utmost importance that the positive results of the past are not lost and Palestinian institutions must continue to grow stronger, more transparent, more accountable and more democratic.”

The document calls on the Palestinians to work “towards genuine and democratic elections for all Palestinians.” It also calls for the Palestinian Authority to resume control of the Gaza Strip, and calls on Israel to end its closure and open all crossing points.

The union “welcomes the steps that Israel has taken to ease some restrictions on Gaza. However the lifting of restriction on movement of people, services and goods – particularly those designated as ‘dual-use items’ – is needed to allow reconstruction efforts and basic service delivery.”

Israel has yet to formulate its response to the document.