The European Union is making an exertive effort to maximize its leverage to pressure US President Donald Trump to ensure his ceasefire plan does not undermine the future of a two-state solution, POLITICO reported Friday, citing a four-page document by the EU’s foreign service.
The document says that there is a need to “reinforce a positive narrative on the two-state solution, including by highlighting the role of the EU,” according to POLITICO.
This follows several European countries recognizing a Palestinian state in September, including France, Portugal, and Belgium, among others.
The European External Action Service proposed to use further diplomatic channels to pressure the US to ensure that the viability of the Palestinian Authority as the leaders of a Palestinian state is not undermined.
The service is seeking support to advocate against economic and financial barriers facing Palestinian institutions, and to increase pressure on Israel not to annex territory in the West Bank.
Pressuring Hamas to step down
It also supports engaging with Israel and ceasefire mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, to pressure Hamas to continue implementing Trump’s full ceasefire plan.
The document stresses the importance of ensuring the continued flow of aid into Gaza, according to the report. It also supports Israel lifting restrictions on humanitarian NGOs operating in the West Bank and Gaza.
The EU aims to play a role in the reconstruction of Gaza, investment in the Strip, and the facilitation of trade.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in September that should would introduce sanctions on Israeli ministers and scale back economic cooperation, citing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis; however, that plan has since been put on hold following the ceasefire.