EU votes that Palestine should have its own state as part of UN resolution?

[minuteure]

11-09-2025 Strasbourg
I have read: "In a dramatic move, the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution titled “Gaza at Breaking Point,” calling for urgent EU action to combat famine, release Israeli hostages, and recommit to a two-state solution. The vote passed with 305 in favour, 151 against, and 122 abstentions. MEPs demanded immediate aid access, called on EU states to recognise Palestine, and backed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers—including far-right ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. The resolution also supports suspending bilateral support to Israel and parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This comes as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces two no-confidence motions over her handling of Gaza and broader transparency concerns."

The fact that this passed is a considerable step - it is more the signal it gives to Israel rather than a significant punitive measure.

“She also announced a freeze on financial support to the Israeli government: €6m (£5.2m) annual regional funds and a €14m grant for public institutions.”

I expect the Hamas leadership will be having a radical rethink now the European Parliament has passed a resolution that they “release Israeli hostages”.

Of course Hamas should release all the hostages immediately. They won’t do so but have suggested a ceasefire deal with Israel which would allow the release of hostages and an opportunity of a different governance structure to be put into place.

Is it wrong to expect more from the democratic state of Israel than the terrorist organisation with regard to respect for international law - the breaking of which after all is why EU is raising these concerns?

It just shows how dishonest the whole thing is that they demand the release of Israeli hostages knowing full well Hamas aren’t one bit interested in what the European Parliament wants.

As you say yourself, “they won’t do so”.

And Israel won’t agree a ceasefire until Hamas agree to disarm and leave Gaza so the whole thing seems pretty pointless to me.

There’s nothing pointless about wanting sufficient food to get into Gaza - Israel increased aid previously after discussions with the EU, so the EU clearly has some leverage.

Here is a statement from the EU- tell me what you think is pointless and dishonest in the below:

The Parliament strongly condemns the Israeli government’s obstruction of humanitarian aid, which is engineering a famine in Northern Gaza, and calls for all relevant border crossings to be opened. It calls urgently for UNRWA’s full mandate and funding to be reinstated, with robust oversight, and opposes the current aid distribution system.
MEPs are alarmed by the severe food shortages and malnutrition resulting from restricted humanitarian aid and stress the urgent need for full, safe, and unhindered access to essentials such as food, water, medical supplies, and shelter. They demand the immediate restoration of vital infrastructure and call on all parties to respect their humanitarian obligations under international law.
Israel’s right to self-defence
MEPs demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza. They urge the EU to exert diplomatic leverage on third countries to pressure Hamas to secure their release.
The Parliament condemns in the strongest possible terms the “barbaric crimes” committed by Hamas against Israel and calls for concrete sanctions against the terrorist group. It reiterates its commitment to Israel’s security and its “inalienable right to self-defence” in full compliance with international law, noting that Israel remains a key EU partner in the fight against regional terrorism.
However, MEPs stress that Israel’s right to defend itself cannot justify indiscriminate military action in Gaza and express concern over the continuous military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have led to unbearable suffering for civilian population, while also denouncing Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields.
Investigation into violations of international law
The resolution endorses the Commission President’s decision to suspend EU bilateral support to Israel, and to partially suspend the EU-Israel agreement as regards trade. MEPs want full investigations into all war crimes and violations of international law and for all those responsible to be held to account. Parliament also supports EU sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and activists in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and calls for sanctions on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Support for the two-state solution
Parliament urges all EU institutions and member states to take diplomatic steps to ensure commitment to a two-state solution, aiming for progress before the UN General Assembly in September. It stresses the need for total demilitarisation of Gaza and exclusion of Hamas from governance, calling for a reformed Palestinian Authority to be restored as the sole governing body. Hamas and other terrorist groups should lose all political and military control in Gaza, say MEPs, who also encourage EU countries to enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants.
The establishment of a Palestinian State is key to peace, Israel’s security, and regional normalisation, according to Parliament. Member states should consider recognising the State of Palestine, it concludes, with a view to carrying through the two-state solution.
The resolution was adopted by 305 votes in favour, 151 against, and 122 abstentions.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250905IPR30185/parliament-pushes-for-gaza-aid-the-hostages-release-and-justice

Agree there’s nothing pointless about wanting sufficient food to get into Gaza.

But that isn’t what we were discussing. We were discussing this particular vote by the European Parliament which includes terms they well know won’t be achieved like the Israeli hostages being released because they are demanding it.

And who is supposed to be recommitting to a two-state solution? Hamas doesn’t want it, Netanyahu doesn’t want it. Neither of them will “recommit” to it.

The basics need to be there first. If the EU action can cause adequate provision of essential goods into Gaza first and the provision of adequate health cover that is a vital start.

A ceasefire and release of hostages is also an imminent need. Hamas are agreeing to terms that would allow this and the introduction of an alternative governance structure that could further sideline and defund Hamas.

I don’t have hope Israel will listen but the EU will continue to investigate the concerns about international law being broken. This may ultimately lead to further review of the Israel EU association.

I also imagine that the EU has more access to information about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that we have available.

No Hamas aren’t agreeing to terms that would allow a ceasefire & the release of hostages because they aren’t agreeing to disarm & leave Gaza.

The EU can play an important role in pressuring Israel to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza and individual countries can impose sanctions.

What the European Parliament can’t do is get Hamas to release the Israeli hostages or get either side to commit to a 2 state solution.

Hamas are proposing a ceasefire that would allow release of hostages and development of an alternative governance regime in Gaza that could sideline and defund Hamas. I imagine that’s why so many people in Israel want the ceasefire to happen now.

Completely agree that EU cannot force Israel to agree to a 2SS. That does not mean that they cannot express their displeasure at moves that prevent this and to continue to consider if Israel continues to break international law -and what this means with regard to the EU and Israel association.

I imagine this is why Israel is so angry about EU considering as a block that it should recognise Palestine as a state. Netanyahu has made it clear who he thinks the land belongs to.

And yes - if this makes Israel increase essential aid and adequately respond to the humanitarian crisis - than EU actions will have already been effective.

It doesn’t meet Netanyahu’s requirements and he won’t do it so pointless to demand it. Same as the two state solution except neither Hamas nor Israel will consider that at the present time.

Yes - we can agree that the ceasefire proposals from Hamas dont meet Netanyahu’s “requirements” which a significant proportion of Israelis from their polling comes down to “political reasons.” That is Netanyahu’s political survival.

The EU has some power over Israel- I would like to see it being used for pushing for a ceasefire.

It also appears we agree that a 2SS is very far - particularly as can be seen by increasing settlements significantly in the WB.

It also appears we agree that EU should be pressing Israel on increasing humanitarian aid and access to healthcare.

So - the EU has set a bar that accords with international laws - and it is too high for Israel to reach under its current political regime.

I hope it keeps the pressure on Israel

Yes I definitely think the current Israeli regime is the problem, for them this is not really about Hamas anymore (not convinced it ever was tbh), and certainly not about the hostages (sadly). They have another agenda, and a ceasefire and 2SS don’t fit with that agenda!

Hamas said that it wanted international recognition of Palestinians' continued struggle to get its own state and complete freedom from Israel - and it is funded by countries which are committed to a 2 state solution and so the commitment here to the 2 state solution is extremely helpful. And if negotiated successfully would mean all hostages both sides were released, and no more taken if all sides stick to what is agreed. We hope that would be the case.

Israel does not want a two state solution (for reasons they tell us and also other reasons we guess at) but it is the only way to peace.

As well as the commitment about aid, a stated commitment to a two state solution from the EU is helpful and seems to be a break from ranks which in this case is positive. The Arab world is committed to a two state solution, many countries around the world have stated their commitment to a two state solution and now the EU is making the same statement.

Channel 4 News Fact Check ( December 23) on “What is a two state solution and do Israelis & Palestinians want one?”

Gallop polling conducted between July-September 23 found that just 24% of Palestinians would support a two state solution.

The Palestinian Centre for Policy & Survey Research did a survey in November & December 23 as the war unfolded. Those results found that 35% of Palestinians were in support of a two state solution

Since Hamas are now explicitly calling for the destruction of Israel, Channel 4 News concluded that they are openly rejecting a two state solution. Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamed told Lebanese TV on 24 October 23 that “we will repeat the October 7th attack time and time again until Israel is annihilated”.

Do you have anything more recent? I wonder if having faced the wrath of Israel over the last 2 years has brought Palestinians to their knees?

Do you think the way to peace is more killing or attempts to forge a different path?

I’m on my mobile so not as easy to search all sources- maybe I’ll take a look later to see if anything more recent.

I think the way to peace is for Hamas to admit they are defeated and agree to Israel’s demands. Otherwise Netanyahu will just continue with more death & destruction to Gaza & Gazans in his quest to destroy Hamas.

Yes - always appropriate to follow path dictated by someone for whom their are warrants for alleged war crimes and who is going against wishes of his own people and military 😳

Or Hamas could just carry on not agreeing to disarm & leave Gaza.

I’m sure that path will end well for Gazans (not).

You’re right - the poor Palestinians are stuck between the decisions of people / organisations who are wanted for war crimes and at showing little regard for human life.
Given this- the more important it is to ensure Palestinians rights are enshrined. I think this is why states are increasingly moving to recognise Palestine as a state. It’s not a meaningless act but has legal implications for Palestinian rights.

What use will it be for other states to recognise Palestine as a state if the majority of Palestinians don’t want a two state solution themselves? And in addition to that neither Hamas nor Israel want it either?

Hamas is agreeing to be replaced. With an alternative governance structure in place - there are advantages for Palestine to be recognised as a state. Google it, use AI if you prefer, to understand further.

I would love to see more companies and countries boycotting goods originating from occupied WB. There should be repercussions for continuing to build settlements there.

I don’t disagree that there would be advantages for Palestine to be recognised as a state. I used to see it as a goal myself (before 7/10) but see it as a hopeless goal at the moment.

It won’t happen for the foreseeable. Seeing as no one involved in the conflict actually wants it.

And it’s not enough for Hamas to agree to be replaced. They also need to agree to disarm and leave Gaza for the war to end.

I agree that Hamas need to be in a position where they can’t repeat 7/10. However- I think that it’s not proportionate to bombard Gaza City when Hamas have agreed for a peaceful transition to an alternative governance structure and during this time, further action can be done to defund and sideline them.

I am right in thinking you feel it’s appropriate for Israel to continue with its bombardment of Gaza city - threatening live of Palestinians and hostages-
until Hamas disarm?

If you do- I feel this would be a missed opportunity to start to rebuild relationships with not only Palestinians but also Qatar and other Middle East countries.