From the right to the far left of the Chamber, the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and The Left political groups in the European Parliament launched a joint appeal on Saturday 10 May for “immediate and effective international action” to ease the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement, the leaders of these European political families condemned the Israeli government’s blockade, which is preventing aid from reaching the civilian population who are living in conditions deemed “inhumane”.
“The extent of destruction and human suffering in Gaza requires comprehensive international engagement by the EU and the international community”, said Manfred Weber (EPP, German), Iratxe García Pérez (S&D, Spanish), Valérie Hayer (Renew Europe, French), Terry Reintke (Greens/EFA, German), Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, Dutch), Manon Aubry (The Left, French) and Martin Schirdewan (The Left, German), calling on the Israeli authorities to cooperate with the United Nations and humanitarian organisations to ensure unrestricted access for aid.
MEPs condemned the politicisation or militarisation of aid and expressed their “deepest concern” over the threat of further military escalation in the Palestinian territory, calling for “proactive EU diplomatic efforts to work towards a permanent ceasefire”.
They denounced “all violations of international law” and in particular recent statements envisaging territorial or demographic changes in the area (see EUROPE 13633/2).
“We reaffirm the European Parliament’s commitment to a negotiated two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders with Israel and Palestine as democratic and sovereign neighbours with Jerusalem as their shared capital - living side-by side in peace and security, as the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East”, they said.
The MEPs also called for the unconditional release of the remaining Israeli hostages and an end to “impunity” for “flagrant” breaches of humanitarian law.
“There can be no prospect for peace, security and stability for Gaza, as well as for reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian population as long as Hamas plays a role in the Gaza Strip”, they said.
MEPs also welcomed initiatives by Arab countries for a credible reconstruction plan for the Palestinian enclave (see EUROPE 13596/20). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)