Bloodshed must end - Greens/EFA call for ceasefire, arms embargo & suspension of Association Agreement
Gaza
This week, MEPs are negotiating a Parliament resolution on Gaza at breaking point: EU action to combat famine, the urgent need to release hostages and move towards a two-state solution. The Greens/EFA Group are calling for an immediate ceasefire, an arms embargo and the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement. The Greens/EFA Group will push to have these elements included in this week’s resolution, due to be voted on Thursday.
Villy Søvndal MEP, Greens/EFA Group negotiator for the resolution, comments:
“The EU’s response to the drastic situation in Gaza has been far too weak and ineffective. This is a test of credibility and of leadership for the EU. Firstly, the bloodshed must stop and it must stop now. The EU and all its Member States must continue to work towards an immediate ceasefire.
“Every day that aid is blocked from reaching the people of Gaza results in indiscriminate death sentences for civilians dying of hunger. We urge Israel to restore, and fully collaborate with, the principled, UN-led humanitarian coordination system, to ensure the proper, safe and effective distribution of aid and we firmly reject the current militarised aid delivery model.
“For any ceasefire to hold we cannot keep providing weapons to the conflict. It’s time for an arms embargo for Israel and we denounce the rapidly expanding military operations in the occupied West Bank as well as mounting violence against Palestinians. The EU and the Member States must ensure that products originating from illegal settlements do not enter the EU market. Every illegal settlement undermines peace and violates international law.
“The Commission has confirmed that Israel is non-compliant with its human rights obligations and we call for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We must use all possible levers we can to apply diplomatic pressure to Israel to lift the blockade and guarantee human rights are upheld. This is a question of credibility for Europe and if we are truly a union that stands for human rights and international law.”
