Threat to Israel condemned by MEPs

11.53.47am GMT Tue 22nd Nov 2005

Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has welcomed both a European Parliament resolution condemning the Iranian President's calls for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and a declaration open for signature by MEPs praising the Gaza withdrawal. She said:

"I'm glad that MEPs took up the suggestion originally put forward by the European Liberals & Democrats group to send a strong signal to Iran that threats of force will not be tolerated and to make absolutely clear its position on Israel's right to exist in security."

"I hope many MEPs will also join me in signing the declaration acknowledging the significance of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza strip and congratulating Israel on this move. The agreement for an EU team to help ensure security at the Rafah border post is a new chapter in EU-Israel relations."

Baroness Ludford, a long-standing member of the Liberal, now Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, will be attending the 56th annual dinner of the Anglo-Israel Association next week. In 1978 she was awarded a 'Wyndham Deedes' scholarship by the Association to visit Israel, and wrote a study on Israel's relationship with the EU entitled "For Better or Worse?

"In 30 years I have not lost faith that the Israel-EU relationship can weather the occasional storm and prove essential and fruitful for both sides."

Notes

Key clauses of the resolution on Iran include:

Condemns the statements of the Iranian President on the State of Israel, strongly rejects any calls for the destruction of a State which is part of the international community and calls upon the Iranian President to fully retract his bellicose statement; reaffirms its unalterable commitment to Israel's right to existence within internationally recognised borders and in security, side by side with an independent and viable Palestinian State; calls upon Iran to recognise the State of Israel and its right to live in peace and security, and to use its influence in the Middle East to persuade movements with which it maintains relations to refrain from the use of violence; expresses its solidarity with the people and the State of Israel and reiterates its determination to seek a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of the Roadmap process led by the Quartet (UN, EU, Russia and United States of America)

Key clauses of the declaration on Gaza (similar to a Westminster 'Early Day Motion') are:

praising Israel for the peaceful and rapid withdrawal and the commitment this demonstrates....to achieving lasting peace; recognising the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully within secure and recognised borders; calls on the international community to help create social and economic stability in Gaza and assist the Palestinian Authority in establishing the rule of law and security for its inhabitants; calls on the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to recognise the withdrawal as a confidence-building measure by Israel; calls on the European Union and national governments to help the two parties work towards a two-state solution in the region and the two sides to re-engage with the Roadmap for Peace facilitated by the Quartet