Brussels, 19/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Monday's decision by the External Relations Council to prepare for the resumption of direct EU aid to the Palestinian emergency government, of which Hamas is no longer a part (see EUROPE 9448), was welcomed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, but many MEPs wondered about the EU's indirect responsibility in the event in Gaza over recent days, in which Hamas has used violence to seize power. President Hans-Gert Pöttering expressed the support of the EP for the emergency government named by President Mahlmoud Abbas and called on MEPs to support the resumption of the EU's financial aid - a decision which Mr Pöttering welcomed. He urged Israel to “exercise its political responsibility” and “unequivocally support” President Abbas. He welcomed the willingness expressed by Israel to repay the $800 million in customs duties to the Palestinian government. José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP-ED), who also welcomed the resumption of European aid, said that the EU had to give strong backing to Mr Abbas and to the new government of Salem Fayyad, which should, he said, also be the government of the Gaza Strip. Martin Schulz (PES) drew parallels between the events of recent days, which have been, in his words, “the worst” and EU policy, which had hit rock bottom. “Why resume aid now, when the Palestinian state has collapsed?” He felt that this collapse could have been avoided had there been continued aid. Mr Schulz, the leader of the Socialist group, also questioned the “total boycott” of a government legally elected by a people “just because we don't like this government”. He said that only dialogue could strengthen moderate voices and weaken the radicals, and he spoke of Yasser Arafat, “who was the No 1 terrorist and who won the Nobel Peace Prize”. Graham Watson (ALDE) backed Mr Schulz, stating that “while nothing can justify the actions of Hamas, things would perhaps not have reached this point had the EU not refused dialogue and suspended payments”. He went on to welcome the will of the EU and Israel to resume payment of aid, but he asked, “Are we going to support the West Bank and not Gaza?” This, he said, would push millions of Palestinians living in areas controlled by Hamas to despair. Brian Crowley (UEN) said that Israel and Palestine had both failed to live up to their commitments, when a two-state solution must be based on viability and equality. Daniel Cohn-Bendit (Greens/EFA) called on the EU to “wake up and act because it alone can play the role of mediator”. The EU had to organise a major conference in the region, he said. “It is the only way to restore hope, and hope is the prerequisite for political dialogue,” he went on. Francis Wurtz (GUE/NGL) said that, “confronted with the tragedy that is unfolding in the Palestinian Territories, appeals to end the violence are ineffective”. He said that this violence was the fruit of “40 years of military occupation” and the “total impunity” granted by the international community to Israeli leaders, whoever they were and whatever they did, completely ignoring international law. (hb)