In a resolution adopted on Thursday 11 September (305 votes in favour, 151 against and 122 abstentions), MEPs express their deep concern at the “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for urgent EU action.
MEPs strongly condemn the Israeli government’s obstruction of humanitarian aid, which is causing famine in the north of the enclave, and call for all relevant border crossings to be opened. They urgently call for the full reinstatement of UNRWA’s mandate and funding, with strong oversight, and oppose the current aid distribution system (see EUROPE 13651/27).
The European Parliament condemns in the strongest possible terms the “barbaric crimes” committed by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel and calls for concrete sanctions. It reiterates its commitment to Israel’s security and its “inalienable right to invoke self-defence” in full compliance with international law, recognising that Israel remains an essential EU partner in countering regional terrorism.
However, MEPs stressed that Israel’s right to defend itself cannot justify “indiscriminate military action in Gaza”.
Following the adoption of an amendment tabled by the Christian Democrats (EPP), the European Parliament “expresses concern over the continuous military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have led to unbearable suffering for the civilian population”. The draft text initially proposed by the Renew Europe, S&D and Greens/EFA groups contained a strong condemnation of “the continuous escalation of war in Gaza caused by the Israeli military operations” (see EUROPE 13706/1).
Furthermore, the term “genocide” was not used in the resolution adopted, although the use of the term was the subject of negotiations (see EUROPE 13705/10). Nevertheless, the European Parliament recalls in the adopted text that a case is pending before the International Court of Justice concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip and is in favour of additional EU sanctions against “extremist ministers openly calling for genocidal actions”.
The European Parliament urges all EU institutions and Member States to take diplomatic steps to commit to a two-state solution.
See the motion for a resolution and the amendments put to the vote: https://aeur.eu/f/ie9 (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)