The European Union has signalled its readiness to be part of an international presence in the territories.
The Palestine Liberation Organization has called for measures to protect Palestinians in the wake of the Feb. 25 killing of worshipers at a Hebron mosque.
In a statement issued last week, the E.U.’s 12 member states stressed the need “to pursue the Mideast peace process despite the recent tragic events” in Hebron that brought the negotiations between Israel and the PLO to an abrupt halt.
“The European Union supports the putting into place by the United Nations Security Council of an international presence in the occupied territories,” the statement said.
The member states were ready to take part in such a U.N. presence, the statement said.
“The European Union encourages the renewal of the negotiations on the peace process between all the parties and calls on the United Nations Security Council to quickly adopt a resolution in this view,” said the statement.
The PLO has been calling on the Security Council to issue a resolution condemning the Hebron murders, as well as demanding that an armed international force be sent into the territories to protect Palestinians.
The E.U. also welcomed measures recently taken by the Israeli government to ensure security for the Palestinians. The measures included the banning of militantly anti-Arab groups and ordering the detention of some extremist leaders.
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