The situation in the Middle East, including the Occupied Palestinian Territories, is discussed by Foreign Ministers of the European Union on a regular basis. These discussions encompass human rights issues in the Territories. The Union has made representations at various times to both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority on the subject of human rights abuses in the territories. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19 May the Council conclusions stated: "The Council recognised Israel's legitimate security concerns. It is, however, deeply preoccupied by the number of Palestinian civilian deaths and called on Israel to act within the constraints of international law, and not to impede access to humanitarian groups."