EU to pressure US on ensuring Palestinian statehood in ceasefire deal

The EU will pressure US President Donald Trump to ensure the ceasefire agreement does not jeopardize the future of a Palestinian state.

A four-page document prepared by the bloc’s foreign affairs service, seen by POLITICO ahead of this week’s meeting of foreign ministers and leaders, reveals that officials are pushing to maximize the EU’s influence in the implementation of the Washington-brokered deal to ensure lasting peace.

The document states that with the increasing number of European governments recognizing a Palestinian state, there is a need to “strengthen the positive narrative on the two-state solution, including by highlighting the EU’s role.”

The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic arm, proposes to “further activate diplomatic channels towards the US” to ensure the deal is implemented “without undermining the viability” of the Palestinian Authority.

Trump announced last week that a ceasefire had been reached between Hamas and the Israeli government, paving the way for the release of all surviving Israeli hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from certain points in Gaza.

The EEAS is currently seeking support from capitals to remove the economic and financial obstacles facing Palestinian institutions and to increase pressure on illegal settlers in the West Bank.

It also proposes cooperation with Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye to “maintain pressure on Hamas for the full implementation of the plan.”

The document suggests ensuring a “large-scale flow of aid into and throughout Gaza” by the end of the year and the redeployment of the civilian Rafah border crossing assistance mission, EUBAM, as a third party to protect the passage of people.

If member states give the green light, the EU will also explore possibilities for “monitoring the transfer of goods and exploring advisory services.”

Brussels also hopes to persuade Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian NGOs operating in the Palestinian territories.

In the long term, the EU wants to play a role in demining, the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza, and facilitating investment and trade.

Brussels plans to use the Erasmus student exchange program, from which it had previously sought to exclude Israel, as a tool to build trust between communities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in September that she would impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and seek to reduce economic cooperation with the country in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

However, as POLITICO reported last Friday, the plans are expected to stall following the American deal, as geopolitical developments have made capitals skeptical about the necessity of this step.

Several countries pushing for a tougher stance have expressed their frustration that the EU has waited so long to present its plans.