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 European Parliament adopted by 305 votes to 151, with 122 abstentions, a 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 text adopted in plenary was tabled by the S&D, Greens/EFA and Renew groups.
Parliament expressed great alarm at the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, notably the lack of food and widespread malnutrition resulting from insufficient access to humanitarian aid. It underlined the urgent need for all experienced international humanitarian bodies to have full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, with an emphasis on providing essentials such as food, water, medical supplies and shelter, in line with international law, and demanded the immediate restoration of vital infrastructure.
The resolution strongly condemned the obstruction of this humanitarian aid to Gaza by the Israeli Government and demanded the unimpeded and large-scale provision of humanitarian assistance, particularly food, medical care and psychosocial support for children, and protection to all those in need throughout the Gaza Strip. Members also called for the opening of all relevant border crossings, and for the mandate and funding of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to be reinstated in full, with strong oversight and accountability.
In addition, Parliament called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, both living and deceased.
Concerns over military operations in the Gaza Strip
Parliament condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric crimes perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, calling on the EU to adopt new, firm and concrete sanctions against the terrorist organisation. It reaffirmed its commitment to Israel's security, reaffirmed Israel's inalienable right to invoke self-defence in full compliance with international law, and recognised that Israel remains a strategic partner of the EU in the fight against regional terrorism.
Members, however, stressed that Israel's right to self-defence cannot justify indiscriminate military action in Gaza and expressed concern at the military operations in the Gaza Strip that have caused unbearable suffering for the civilian population, while condemning Hamas's use of civilians as human shields.
Financial support
Parliament called on the Commission to ensure that its proposed EUR 1.6 billion comprehensive support programme for the Palestinian Authority and Gaza is fully transparent and is subject to strict oversight and effective conditionality to ensure that EU taxpayer money does not support terrorism or incitement to hatred and violence.
Sanctions
Parliament supports the Commission President's statement that the EU's bilateral support to Israel will be suspended and all payments in these areas will cease, and supports her proposal to partially suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement on trade-related issues.
The resolution fully supports the current EU sanctions enacted against violent Israeli settlers and activists in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and called for the EU to follow the decisions of several Member States and the United Kingdom to issue sanctions against Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. Members also support the extension of sanctions and called for targeted EU restrictive measures, including asset freezes and visa bans through the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, to be applied to extremist individuals and entities directly involved in the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian Territories and in severe breaches of international law, including extremist ministers openly calling for acting against the two-state solution.
Support for the two-state solution
Parliament urged all EU institutions and Member States to take diplomatic steps to ensure commitment to a two-state solution, aiming for progress before the UN General Assembly in September. It stressed the need for total demilitarisation of Gaza and exclusion of Hamas from governance, calling for a reformed Palestinian Authority to be restored as the sole governing body. According to Members, Hamas and other terrorist groups should lose all political and military control in Gaza.
The establishment of a Palestinian State is key to peace, Israel’s security, and regional normalisation, according to Parliament. Member States should consider recognising the State of Palestine, it concludes, with a view to carrying through the two-state solution.