The European Union is “as ever, on the wrong side of history” with its “meddling” attempts to impose an “idiotic” plan on the Middle East, Brexiteer Ben Habib has said.
Mr Habib was commenting after the publication of a 12-point document by the bloc’s foreign affairs arm – headed up by top diplomat Joseph Borrell – stating that it is “unrealistic to assume that Israelis and Palestinians will in the near future directly engage in bilateral peace negotiations”.
Furthermore, Brussels is proposing parallel talks involving the United States, United Nations, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the League of Arab States, as well as warning of “consequences” should Israel refuse to engage.
The plan states: “Palestinians will need a revitalised political alternative to Hamas, while Israelis will need to find the political will to engage in meaningful negotiations towards the two-state solution.
“Therefore, it is the responsibility of outside actors such as the EU, to help the conflict parties by preparing the ground for a comprehensive peace.”
Reform UK deputy leader Mr Habib, currently campaigning in Wellingborough in advance of next month’s by-election, told Express.co.uk: “As ever the EU has illusions of grandeur, wading into the highly complex, sensitive and intractable problems of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. And as ever, it is on the wrong side of history.
“Back in 2019, when President Trump had sanctioned Iran, the EU was actively seeking to undermine those sanctions. It tried to set up an alternative money-clearing mechanism to allow it to trade with the terrorist-supporting regime in Tehran. Thankfully, it failed.
“It is at it again, supporting Tehran’s terrorist proxy, Hamas, against Israel.”
Rather than condemning Hamas, the bloc was attempting to require Israel to “enter negotiations for a two-state solution”, Mr Habib suggested.
He continued: “It is apparently lost on the EU that Hamas does not accept a two-state solution.
“Gaza could have been that solution but Hamas used it instead as a base from which to attack.
“Has the EU not heard the chant ‘from the river to the sea’?”
There was currently “no Palestinian political entity” with which Israel, or any other country, could negotiate for a two-state solution in any case, Mr Habib pointed out.
He continued: “The EU also misunderstands the state of mind of other Muslim countries. Except for Iran and Lebanon (under duress), the Muslim world is sick of militant Palestinians.
“They want the killing to stop (everyone does) but the EU will not get Arab nations rallying around against Israel. They want peace with Israel.”
The current conflict had been “concocted” by Iran to prevent peace, Mr Habib claimed.
He added: “Saudi was about to recognise Israel and thereby gain the advantage over Iran.
“The October 7 attack on Israel was promoted by Iran to undermine the Saudi/US/Israeli accord.
“The EU needs to vacate the field. Its plans are idiotic. Thankfully, no one with genuine geopolitical clout is listening to the EU.”
At a meeting in Brussels yesterday, European Union foreign ministers added their voices to the calls for a Palestinian state, saying it was the only way to achieve peace.
Mr Borrell said of Israel: “Which are the other solutions they have in mind?
“To make all the Palestinians leave? To kill them off?”
