On Saturday 7 April, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) called once again for the "utmost restraint" between Palestinians and Israelis following further incidents during a protest in Gaza the previous day (see EUROPE 11993).
"The priority now must be to avoid any further escalation and loss of life", the spokesperson stated, adding that the death of nine Palestinians – including a minor and a journalist wearing a 'press' vest – and the injuring of 400 others by Israeli gunfire "raises serious questions about the proportionate use of force which must be addressed". "Reports by the Israeli defence forces about throwing of stones and firebombs against their positions and attempts to cross the fence into Israel must also be clarified", the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said that "all concerned need to enable the quick delivery of medical equipment to those who need it, and allow medical deferrals to hospitals outside Gaza for humanitarian reasons".
The EEAS spokesperson reiterated that the Palestinian factions must engage seriously to allow the Palestinian Authority to resume its full responsibilities in Gaza. The EU stands "ready to continue to support this process with all the instruments at its disposal", the spokesperson added.
During the evening of 5 April, the day before the protest, the spokesperson said that while " recognising the right to peaceful demonstration", the European Union expects that those leading the protests in Gaza "avoid any incitement to violence, ensure that any protests, demonstrations and assemblies remain strictly non-violent, and do not exploit them for other means". The spokesperson also said that the EU expects Israel to respect "the fundamental right to peaceful protest and proportionality in the use of force" when defending its legitimate security interests. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)