Situation in the Middle East
Strasbourg, Session held on 15 May 2002

Della Vedova (Non-Attached Member). - Mr. President, I would first of all like to denounce the fact that the delegation of the European Parliament for relations with Israel, which in March held a formal meeting for its constitution, has only convened its first official meeting for 12 June.

We have every respect for the problems of its leader, but we think that, in these months that are so difficult and delicate for Israel and the Middle East, perhaps it would have been better if the delegation had met already and discussed the problem.

High Representative Solana, we have always denounced in this Parliament the unilateral vision of the majority of European political forces, which are incapable of distinguishing between democratic countries that, despite everything, are committed to respecting human and civil rights, and despotic, corrupt regimes. Virtually all the European countries to date have condemned in no uncertain terms actions undertaken by the Israelis to repress and eradicate terrorism, but offered only bland and token criticism of the suicide bombers who struck Israel with the same ruthless, cold-bloodedness as those who attacked America.

Even with regard to Jenin, High Representative Solana and Commissioner (nome), the accusations of massacre hurled at Israel without any real proof, which amounted to a lynching, were fuelled by Europe.

Today, finally, a new truth is being affirmed: there is no peace without freedom and democracy. High Representative Solana, you have guaranteed Europe's commitment to a more democratic Palestinian Authority that is more respectful of Palestinian rights.

Let us even eliminate the word "more". This, however, means recognising that the tragedy that has been enacted over the last years, and more particularly in recent months, was and still is primarily determined by the lack of freedom and democracy experienced by the Palestinian people and all the other peoples who live in that area, under the yoke of tyranny, authoritarianism and dictatorship.

We cannot be racist. We must be prudent, but we cannot suppose that the Lebanese, Syrians, Iraqis and Palestinians do not have the right to freedom and democracy. We must denounce the fact that often the States that fuel terrorism are precisely those that do not want freedom and democracy discussed within their borders.

Commissioner (nome), when Netanyahu asked our opinion on the Likud motion, when he asked what was the nature of the Palestinian State - a free and democratic State or a State that lives by unlawfulness and terror and which, therefore, generates terror -, maybe he was asking a question that it would be useful for us all to ask ourselves.

We welcome the start of an electoral process in Palestine, but we must not forget that Arafat was to have been re-elected in 1999, but the elections did not take place, and the holy war had not then begun.