Resolution on Gilad Shalit

Following the debate which took place the same day, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Gilat Shalit.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled as a joint resolution by the EFD, S&D, ALDE, ECR and EPP groups and three German Green/EFA Members, Daniel COHN-BENDIT, Jan Philipp ALBRECHT and Reinhard BÜTIKOFER.

. It calls for the immediate release of Sergeant Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas on Israeli soil on 25 June 2006, and is a European (French) and an Israeli citizen. Members recall that Hamas has claimed responsibility for Sergeant Shalit's continuing detention and has declared that he is being held in accordance with the Third 1949 Geneva Convention. However, they deplore the continued disregard for Sergeant Shalit's basic human rights and the fact that his family and the Israeli and French authorities have been prevented from obtaining information regarding his well-being. Parliament therefore urges Hamas to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Sergeant Shalit without delay, and to permit him to communicate with his family in accordance with the Third 1949 Geneva Convention. It states further that international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be respected by all parties to the Middle East conflict and in all circumstances.

The resolution stresses the importance of progress towards a two-state solution and welcomes the relaunching of proximity negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Members emphasise that mutual trust-building measures by all sides, including a significant release of Palestinian prisoners, may help to create a constructive atmosphere leading to the release of Sergeant Shalit.