France, Egypt, Germany and Jordan call for immediate Gaza ceasefire

The foreign ministers of France, Egypt, Germany and Jordan issue a joint statement after their Munich Group summit in Berlin, saying they are “deeply alarmed by this new round of violence and the deteriorating security situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, and on-going developments in Gaza, which has claimed unacceptable civilian casualties including women and children.”

They call for an immediate ceasefire “which will end Israeli military operations in Gaza and indiscriminate rocket firing against Israel. International humanitarian law must be respected.”

They also praise Egypt for its mediation efforts, and call on all sides to implement commitments made in Aqaba in February and in Sharm El-Sheikh on March.

Without naming Israel specifically, they express concern over “the growing pressure against Christian and Muslim communities in Jerusalem,” and affirm Jordan’s “custodianship” over Jerusalem’s holy sites, something Israel has never agreed to.

“These latest events illustrate the need to restore a credible political process leading to a comprehensive and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians through a negotiated two-state solution, ensuring an independent, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, based on June 4, 1967 lines and consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” say the ministers.