The participants of the conference expressed their great concern about the continuing, potential and dangerous tensions, especially since the beginning of the illegal war against Iraq launched by the Bush Administration in the framework of the so-called “war on terror” and the “pre-emptive strategy”. They declared their opposition to the “Greater Middle East project” of the USA aiming to control the region and resources and reshaping its geo-political map. They reiterated their opposition to any kind of military option of settling international conflicts or threats of such actions against Syria and Iran. War is unacceptable; it reinforces the vicious circle of violence and terror.

The participants underlined the inseparable inter-relationship between peace and stability in the region and the priority of a just and lasting solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the implementation of all the relevant UN resolutions. Without realizing the legitimate Palestinian right of a viable independent state – side by side with the state of Israel - the Middle East will not have a peaceful and democratic future.

They considered the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and the removal of settlements as an opportunity, provided that it is the first step and not the last. The redeployment from Gaza must be followed by a comprehensive withdrawal of Israel to the pre-4^th June1967 borders.

They demanded the withdrawal of all the occupation forces in Iraq and the end of the occupation and continuing bloodshed in this war-torn country. They called upon the UN to assume responsibility for a transition to a sovereign, peaceful and democratic Iraq. They expressed their solidarity with the democratic, progressive and left forces and the social movements of this country.

They confirmed the necessity for a comprehensive regional security system and the urgency of working out and realizing a socio-economic development programme, based on mutual development and ecological protection. They also declared their support of the struggle for democracy in the region, but democracy is incompatible with war, occupation and other kinds of foreign domination.

They sharply condemned the continuing building of the Wall that was ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly resolution and the grabbing of further Palestinian land, incorporating the big Israeli settlement blocks into Israel and wiping East Jerusalem off the political map.

The participants were in favour of a process of de-militarization and in particular for the establishment of a zone free from nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in the whole Middle East region.

They called for convening an international peace conference under the auspices of UN with the participation of Israel and Palestine and the neighbouring Arab states for the implementation of the UN resolutions concerning the conflict.

They demanded, that the European Union and the European countries assume their special responsibility for the revival of the peace process in the Middle East.

They expressed their commitment to strengthening the anti-war movement and the movement of solidarity with the peoples of the region.

Plan of action for peace in the Middle East 

The Euro-Middle-East Left Forum of left and progressive forces met on 2 - 3 December 2005 in Athens and decided to continue this form of dialogue, cooperation and common action as an ongoing open process.

Future actions will include:

1. Strive to bring together the broadest possible range of civil society initiatives engaged in deep solidarity with the Palestinians and the peace forces in Israel and the other peoples struggling for peace and freedom in the Middle East, reinforce campaigns and other actions aimed at building pressure on governments to respect international law as a precondition for a peaceful and stable development in the Middle East as a whole.
2. Call for international intervention. Volunteers from human rights organisations, NGOs as well as political parties must strengthen their efforts to monitor the situation in the region, especially in the occupied territories where a UN peace-keeping force is urgently needed for the protection of civilians and as a form of pressure on Israel to withdraw from all the 1967 occupied territories.
3. International support for the non-violent activities against the wall.  Urging all political parties and NGOs for full international support of the non-violent activities that are carried out by the human rights- and other peace movements both in Palestine and Israel as well as mass demonstrations and sit-ins by citizens.
4. Stop arms trade and boycott products from the Israeli settlements. Urging citizens, volunteer organisations, labour unions, consumer co-operations, political parties and businesses to boycott goods and products from the settlements. Buying and selling these products means active support for the illegal occupation. It violates international law. Imports and exports of arms to and from Israel have to be immediately stopped.
5. The EU has a preferential trade agreement with Israel, the Mediterranean Association Agreement. As a result, Israel enjoys the right of free trade with EU countries. The agreement contains provisions demanding respect for democracy and human rights. The European parliament should use these to put pressure on Israel to respect life, property and freedom of movement of all citizens.
6. The next Euro-Middle East Forum is proposed to take place in Jerusalem during the coming GUE/NGL and NELF joint trip to Palestine and Israel in the spring of 2006 - with the broadest possible participation from both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. It will be held to continue the dialogue and cooperation between the European and the Middle East left and progressive forces. The delegation of the forth-coming joint trip was specially invited to ‘Bil’in village in West Bank/Palestine.
7. Organise a conference on women’s rights in the Middle East, together with women organisations from the region and promote solidarity with the struggle of Middle East women against any kind of oppression and for gender equality in the whole region.
8. Support activities on peace and justice in the Middle East within the framework of 4^th European Social Forum to be held in Athens, May 2006, also in the Mediterranean Social Forum,
9. Organise a joint fact finding mission to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
10. Support the right of the Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate in the forthcoming election.
11. Campaign for the withdrawal of all the occupation forces from Iraq and strengthen solidarity with the Iraqi people struggling for a peaceful, independent and democratic Iraq.