MEPs were divided, on Tuesday 16 January, during the debate on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. MEPs from political groups on the right of the political spectrum highlighted the responsibility of Hamas and the situation of Israeli hostages, while left-wing elected MEPs called for action against Israel.
For the EPP group, the Spaniard Antonio López-Istúriz White, who also chairs the European Parliament delegation for relations with Israel, said that for the war to end, the hostages had to be returned and Gaza demilitarised. “No one can turn a blind eye to the losses in Gaza and the humanitarian situation. But we cannot forget the terror of the Israelis who are waiting for their loved ones”, he stressed.
Charlie Weimers (ECR, Swedish) agreed, saying that to achieve a ceasefire, “Hamas must release all the hostages”. He added that “the West must demand that support for terrorists cease”, explaining that a large majority of Palestinians supported the armed struggle against Israel.
Sylvia Limmer from Germany, speaking on behalf of ID, claimed that the people of Gaza support the attacks by Hamas and that more attention should be paid to the fate of the 136 hostages “held by Islamist butchers, tortured and dishonoured”.
Many MEPs from the S&D, Greens/EFA and The Left groups stressed the catastrophic humanitarian situation facing the people of Gaza.
Jordi Solé (Greens/EFA, Spanish), while not questioning Israel’s right to react to Hamas attacks, regretted that the Hebrew State had not sought a solution other than “one that leads to the death of more than 24,000 people, or 1% of the population of Gaza”.
While condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks and calling for the hostages to be released, Pedro Marques (S&D, Portuguese) pointed out that Hamas should not be eliminated at any cost. “Civilians are not combatants, children are not terrorists”, he stressed. “Those responsible for terrorist acts, violations of international law and war crimes must be held accountable”, said the MEP, lending his support to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Manon Aubry (The Left, French) called for justice to be done and supported South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Several MEPs also called for measures to be taken against Israel, including the suspension of the EU/Israel Association Agreement, a ban on the import of products from the settlements and the suspension of arms shipments to Israel.
For her part, Hilde Vautmans (Renew Europe, Belgian) called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. She also hoped that MEPs would agree on a joint resolution, which will be put to the vote on Thursday. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)