On Thursday 19 October, MEPs called for a humanitarian pause in the Middle East.
In the joint resolution they adopted (500 votes in favour, 21 against and 24 abstentions), MEPs called for “a humanitarian pause, de-escalation and full respect for international humanitarian law”.
The introduction of this call for a humanitarian pause (adopted by 433 MEPs to 41, notably from the ECR Group, with 28 abstentions) was the subject of much discussion during the plenary vote on the resolution. Before the vote on Renew Europe’s oral amendment transforming the amendment tabled by the Greens/EFA calling for a ceasefire, two oral amendments calling on the EU to join the UN’s call for an “immediate ceasefire” (as proposed by La Gauche) or a “humanitarian pause” (proposed by Renew Europe) could not be put to the vote due to opposition from a sufficient number of MEPs.
MEPs also express their concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip and call on the international community to continue and increase its humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the region.
In addition to this appeal, MEPs stressed Israel’s right to self-defence “as enshrined in and governed by international law” while respecting international humanitarian law.
They strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and despicable murders committed by Hamas, stressing the need to “eliminate the Hamas terrorist organisation”. They are calling for the release of all hostages.
While stressing their support for increased humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, MEPs call on the European Commission to thoroughly review all European financial aid to Palestine and the region to ensure that no EU funding directly or indirectly finances terrorism.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/95c (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)