European Parliament, Once a Pro-israel Forum, Adopts the Most Anti-israeli Resolutions to Date

The European Parliament, the legislative body of the 10 member-state European Economic Community (EEC) called on Israel and the Palestinians “to recognize each other’s existence” and start peace negotiations. The Parliament also adopted by a large majority a resolution calling on Israel “to stop at once the creation of new settlements in the occupied territories.”

The European Parliament, formerly headed by Simone Veil of France, used to be one of the staunchest pro-Israeli international forums. However, since the start of the war in Lebanon last June, the climate has changed, diplomatic observers say. The resolutions submitted by the Socialist group, were the most anti-Israeli yet to be adopted.

One of the resolutions asserts the Palestinians’ right to self-determination “which could lead to the eventual creation of a Palestinian state.” This is the first time the EEC Parliament has mentioned this possibility which all previous joint European communiques, such as the Venice Declaration of 1980, have systematically avoided.

The Parliament also agreed that a “favorable political climate” now prevails and paid special tribute to the Venice Declaration, President Reagan’s peace proposals and the Arab League plan drawn up at their summit meeting in Fez, Morocco last September. The Parliamentarians also stated that the PLO should normally and legally take part in future Mideast peace negotiations but affirmed that the PLO must first remove from its covenant all articles which call, directly or indirectly, for Israel’s destruction.

The Strasbourg-based body has only an advisory role but its resolutions generally influence the EEC’s governments and also tend to reflect public opinion in the member states. The Parliament’s deputies are elected by popular vote in the 10 nations.