On Thursday 19 April, the European Parliament called for the utmost restraint in and around the Gaza Strip following the deadly demonstrations, saying that "the priority must be to avoid any further escalation of violence and loss of life".
The joint resolution of the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and ECR groups on the situation in the Gaza Strip, which was adopted by the European Parliament with 524 votes in favour, 30 against and 92 abstentions, calls on the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to "refrain from using lethal force against unarmed protestors" and asks the leaders of the demonstrations in Gaza to refrain from any incitement to violence and "to ensure that any protests, demonstrations and assemblies remain strictly non-violent and cannot be exploited for other means". The Palestinians have the right to demonstrate peacefully as part of the legitimate exercise of their fundamental rights to the freedom of expression, assembly and association, the MEPs state.
The Parliament also supports the call launched in favour of opening independent and transparent investigations into the violence and takes note of the creation of a fact-finding assessment mechanism by Tsahal to review actions and incidents that have taken place on the Israeli-Gaza border since 30 March.
"The intentional use of lethal force against protesters who do not pose an imminent threat to life or serious injury violates international human rights law and in the context of occupation is a serious breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention", the MEPs state, reiterating the importance of accountability.
The MEPs also call once again for "an immediate and unconditional end to the blockade and closure of the Gaza Strip". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)