During a debate on Monday 20 January, the representatives of the European Parliament’s political groups welcomed the ceasefire agreement that came into force the previous day in Gaza, calling on the EU to get involved on the ground.
“The EU and the international community must assume their responsibilities, find the resources to send humanitarian aid and put an end to the ban on UNRWA entering the Gaza Strip”, said Villy Søvndal (Greens/EFA, Danish).
On behalf of Renew Europe, Hilde Vautmans (Belgian) called on the EU to send European observers to both sides, as “both sides must respect the ceasefire”. She also felt that it was necessary to ensure that all Member States implement international arrest warrants, a request supported by Mr Søvndal.
“This is a positive agreement, but it requires a whole series of clear steps, and we must participate in the process, not only for the reconstruction of Gaza, but also to help Israel against the terrorists. We need measures to prevent Hamas rearming”, stressed Bert-Jan Ruissen from the Netherlands on behalf of the ECR. Similarly, according to Sebastiaan Stöteler (PfE, Dutch), the EU must do everything in its power to ensure that Hamas disappears and that humanitarian aid is delivered to Gaza.
The representative of the S&D group, the Greek Yannis Maniatis, felt that negotiations should now begin to establish a lasting peace with a two-state solution. “We want to offer our support, but also put pressure on the international community to move things forward. The Middle East is our neighbourhood”, he added, calling on the EU to shoulder its responsibilities and take initiatives.
“Now we need a coherent approach to the region. We all share the two-state solution, but it is not a question of recognising a state without consensus in order to score points on the national chessboard”, added Antonio López-Istúriz White (EPP, Spanish), while the Spanish Socialist government has recognised the State of Palestine.
The EU calls for full implementation of the agreement. On Saturday 18 January, EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, warmly welcomed the ceasefire agreement on behalf of the EU, calling for its full implementation (see other news). In its statement, the EU reiterated its commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. “We will contribute to this objective through support to the Palestinian Authority to help it address its most pressing needs and support the reform agenda, and engagement with Israel and international partners in order to revive the political process”, she promised.
See the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/f4h (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)