EU Statement – UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting: the West Bank, including East Jerusalem

EU Statement - UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting: the West Bank, including East Jerusalem

8 May 2026, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Hedda Samson, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting on the West Bank, including East Jerusalem

Dear Mr. President, dear Excellencies,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States. The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, as well as Armenia, Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

1. The European Union remains firmly committed to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders.
2. The European Union reiterates its call for the full implementation by all parties of the ceasefire and all other provisions of UNSCR 2803, in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and international political and legal principles. The European Union calls for the permanent disarmament of Hamas and other non-state armed groups, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the deployment of the temporary International Stabilisation Force, as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict. There can be no role for Hamas in the future of Gaza.
3. As part of our contribution to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, the EU will continue to support the Palestinian Authority, including in its ongoing reform agenda. In this respect, the EU reiterates the importance of implementing the reform programme of the Palestinian Authority so that it can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.
4. Beyond Gaza, the EU is gravely concerned by the deteriorating human rights, humanitarian and security situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, notably the sharp increase in settler violence and attacks against Palestinian civilians and critical infrastructures.
5. The EU strongly condemns Israel's unilateral actions aiming to expand its presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion declared to be unlawful, and urges the Government of Israel to reverse these decisions, to abide by its obligations under international law and to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied territories.
6. We call on Israel to take immediate and effective measures to prevent and stop settler violence, ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilian population, and hold perpetrators accountable. This includes ensuring prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations into all incidents, in line with international human rights and humanitarian law. The EU will take work forward on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and entities and organisations that support them.
7. Furthermore, consistent with our global efforts towards universal abolition of the death penalty, the EU urges Israel to abide by its previous principled position and with its obligations under international law, as well as its commitment to democratic principles. We are deeply concerned about the de facto discriminatory character of the Bill.
8. The European Union reiterates its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy, including expansion, land confiscations, demolitions and evictions, which are illegal under international law and undermine the viability of the two-state solution. It calls for an immediate halt to settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem, and for the dismantling of illegal outposts, as well as an end to demolitions and evictions. The EU also calls on Israel to reverse the E1 settlement plan. We also reiterate our call for the preservation and respect for the Status Quo of the Jerusalem's Holy Sites. Protection and safety of all religious communities must be ensured.
9. The EU is deeply concerned by the worsening financial and economic situation of the Palestinian Authority. Urgent steps are required, including the full and regular transfer of Palestinian clearance revenues; and extension of the correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks; international support to stabilise the PA's fiscal position; and continued reforms by the Palestinian Authority to strengthen governance, transparency and sustainability.
10. The European Union recalls the key role of the United Nations and reiterates the need for full respect for international law and human rights law. It calls for the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We also recall that when it comes to providing crucial support to the civilian population across the oPt, the role of the UN and its agencies, including UNRWA, is essential.
11. The EU further calls on Israel to reverse its decision regarding the NGO registration law and to fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.
12. The EU reiterates the need for all parties to cooperate with relevant UN mechanisms and fully respect their mandates, emphasizing that a robust and effective UN human rights system should be able to operate independently.
13. We also underline the importance for building on our commitments to preserve the viability of the two-state solution and re-energise a credible political process. The New York Declaration provides a political framework to guide these efforts. The Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution and Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meetings hosted by the EU in Brussels on 20 April were important occasions to demonstrate the EU's commitment and underline the necessary link between the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and the two-state solution agenda.
14. It is also crucial to engage to the maximum extent possible with those most deeply affected by the conflict - Palestinians and Israelis alike. We encourage intensified cooperation and support to civil society including for peacebuilding initiatives.
15. Finally, I want to assure you of the EU's steadfast commitment to achieving the objective of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution.

Thank you.

1. ^ Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.