On Thursday 14 March, MEPs adopted, by 372 votes to 44 with 120 abstentions, a joint resolution tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and Greens/EFA political groups urging Israel to open the Rafah, Kerem Shalom, Karmi and Erez crossings to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The majority of MEPs abstaining from the vote came from the ECR group, with 25 abstentions out of 68 votes (and 17 votes against), and the ID group, with 45 abstentions out of 59 votes (and 3 votes against). Twelve Renew Europe MEPs, seven EPP MEPs, three Non-attached Members and one member of The Left voted against.
In this resolution, MEPs, concerned about the imminent risk of mass starvation in Gaza, reiterated their call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire (see EUROPE 13361/16) and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
They recognised the indispensable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the region and strongly condemned the repeated attacks on civilians seeking aid, and on humanitarian and medical facilities and workers.
Parliament welcomed the maritime aid corridor recently set up for Gaza (see EUROPE 13369/3), but stressed that distribution by land should remain the priority.
To see the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/bbz
International impetus in Cyprus. On Wednesday 13 March, the European Commission, the United States, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar supported the establishment of the humanitarian maritime corridor in a joint declaration.
At the end of a videoconference meeting, in which the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Janez Lenarčič, took part, the ministers agreed that there was no alternative to the land routes via Egypt and Jordan and Israel’s entry points into Gaza for the large-scale delivery of aid. They also agreed that opening the Israeli port of Ashdod to humanitarian aid would be a “welcomed and important addition”.
“The ministers underscored the need for Israel to open additional crossings so more aid can reach Gaza, including the North, and to ease overall customs restrictions to facilitate an increased flow of life-saving humanitarian assistance”, the US State Department said on Wednesday.
Following the meeting, the Cypriot minister, Konstantínos Kómbos, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the coordinators of all the states and organisations involved would be meeting on 21 March in Cyprus. “The prospect of creating a joint fund to strengthen the sustainability of the maritime corridor is being considered while we are in technical consultations with both the UN coordinator’s team and the European Union”, he added.
Last Tuesday, the first small ship left Cyprus with 200 tonnes of food supplies bound for the Palestinian enclave, de facto opening up the maritime corridor supported by the EU, while several countries have been airdropping supplies in recent days (see EUROPE 13369/3).
Italy to take the initiative. At the ‘Foreign Affairs’ Council on Monday 18 March, the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, will present his country’s ‘Food for Gaza’ initiative, in collaboration with several international organisations (FAO, WFP, Red Crescent, Red Cross). Italy stated that land corridors are more appropriate for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, as airdrops have, in its view, a limited effect. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit and Mathieu Bion)