08/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - After study days by his group in the Czech Republic, Francis Wurtz, who is president of the GUE/NGL Group, issued the following declaration (our translation) on Wednesday 7 January: “Over 600 dead in 12 days. The horrific pictures coming to us each day from Gaza fill us with horror and places the international community before its responsibilities (…). We are dealing with a major crisis which calls for an immediate ceasefire, and the complete reopening of points of access to the Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian aid to enter! The international community, and the Bush Administration in particular, bear a crushing weight of responsibility by leaving the way open to such horrors, and by even encouraging it. By choosing never to penalise the State of Israel whatever happens - and by giving it privileged partner status in relations with the EU, as decided by EU foreign ministers - the European Union is making itself an accomplice to Israel's acts of violence!” (O.J./transl.jl)