MEPS CONDEMN HAMAS' ATTACK ON ISRAEL AND CALL FOR A HUMANITARIAN PAUSE
Parliament has condemned today, October 19, 2023, the “despicable” Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, while expressing its serious concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
In a resolution, which has been adopted by 500 votes in favor, 21 against and 24 abstentions, MEPs strongly condemn the brutal attacks, express their support for Israel and its people and underline the need to “eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization.”
They also call for the immediate release of all hostages kidnapped by Hamas and recognize Israel’s right to self-defense “consecrated and restricted by international law.” As such, any action by Israel must strictly comply with international humanitarian law, the text states.
The Parliament also emphasizes that both Hamas attacks and the Israeli response run the risk of reinforcing a cycle of violence in the region. Therefore, MEPs call for a “humanitarian pause” of the fighting and emphasize that attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure, including UN workers, medical workers and journalists, is a serious violation of international law.
In addition, they deeply regret the loss of hundreds of innocent lives and those injured in the recent explosion at the Al Ahli episcopal hospital in Gaza. The resolution calls for an independent investigation in accordance with international law to establish whether it was a deliberate attack and a war crime and, if so, calls for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
After expressing its concern about the rapid deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, Parliament emphasizes the importance of differentiating between the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations, on the one hand, and the Hamas terrorist group, on the other. MEPs urge the international community to continue and increase its humanitarian aid to the civilian population of the area. They also ask Egypt and Israel to cooperate with the international community to establish humanitarian corridors to the Gaza Strip.
IRAN, QATAR AND RUSSIA
The resolution also strongly condemns Iran’s support for Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. MEPs reiterate their call to include the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah on the list of EU terrorist groups and demand investigations into the role of Iran and countries such as Qatar and Russia in financing and supporting terrorism in the region.
MEPs denounce the rocket attacks from Lebanon and Syria on Israel and call for a reduction in tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
While expressing strong support for increasing humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, the European Parliament urges the European Commission to thoroughly review all EU financial aid to Palestine and the region to ensure that no EU fund directly or indirectly finances terrorism. At the same time, they emphasize that the EU budget must continue to provide support to build peace and stability in the area.
Underlining the need to immediately relaunch the peace process, the resolution reiterates its unwavering support for a negotiated two-state solution for Israel and Palestine on the basis of the 1967 lines, with two sovereign and democratic States living side by side in peace and guaranteed security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
Finally, Parliament expresses its concern about the increase in anti-Semitic discourse, demonstrations and attacks aimed at Jews since the beginning of the Hamas terrorist attacks; and calls on the European Commission and all EU countries to take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Jewish citizens.
This news was originally published in Aquí Europa.
