On Tuesday 21 October, representatives of the EPP and S&D groups in the European Parliament called on the European Union to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the Middle East, a few days after the peace agreement.
“What the region now needs is our engagement - and what the European Union must offer is a united Middle East Strategy. We ought to focus our energy where Europe can make a real difference. Let us work with regional partners to reinforce and deliver humanitarian aid as quickly as possible.”, stressed David McAllister (EPP, German).
For Yannis Maniatis (S&D, Greek), “the Middle East is part of our neighbourhood, but remains a project that is not a priority. The European Commission is not proposing an overall strategy that goes beyond ad hoc crisis management”. In his view, Europe has a diplomatic responsibility to actively contribute to and strengthen all peace efforts by supporting UN resolutions, moderate approaches and encouraging a regional approach.
Speaking on behalf of the ECR group, Italy’s Nicola Procaccini agreed that it was necessary to work with neighbouring countries in order to move the peace plan forward.
“The EU has been too divided to prevent war. Let us at least now try to be united in protecting and nurturing a very faint hope” of peace, advocated Hannah Neumann (Greens/EFA, German).
For Jordan Bardella (PfE, French), the “fragile” peace process and the total disarmament of Hamas require “constant international support that goes far beyond empty diplomatic posturing”.
Hilde Vautmans (Renew Europe, Belgian) called for all crossing points to be opened, for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for investment in the reconstruction of Gaza. “We have to put an end to friendly diplomacy, and we are counting on the EU to take action for a two-state solution”, she added.
Ms Vautmans and Ms Neumann also called for pressure to be maintained on Israel and Hamas. “As long as food and medicine do not reach everyone, consequences from the suspension of the association agreements to sanctions need to be back on the table”, explained Ms Neumann.
“Now is the time for the EU to restore its credibility, and end its complicity in this genocide. There can be no peace without justice”, said Lynn Boylan (The Left, Irish). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)