“The road-map remains the only possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”. The European Union is unanimous in re-affirming, through its Council of Foreign Ministers, the commitment assumed by the Quartet (EU, UNO, USA, Russia) for the peace plan aimed at the “creation of two States” with “secure and recognized frontiers”, “in conformity with the Resolutions of the United Nations”. At the same time, Council and Commission have condemned Israel’s killing of the leader of Hamas Rantisi. Israel, for her part, has rejected the accusation, recalling that Rantisi “was the head of an organization included by the EU in its list of terrorist organizations” and that “Hamas has assumed responsibility for hundreds of fatal suicide attacks against Israeli civilians”. Israel has acknowledged the cautious support of Brussels for the plan presented by Premier Sharon for Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, “on condition that guarantees be given – together with the International Community – for the maintenance of security and rehabilitation, as well as for reconstruction”. An emergency meeting of the Quartet is scheduled in Berlin at the request of the EU.
