2023-10-19 14:48:52
The European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel, while expressing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The European Parliament adopted, this Thursday, by an overwhelming majority a resolution condemning “brutal attacks” perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 in southern Israel and asking “a humanitarian break“in the fighting, in order to deliver aid to the population of Gaza. MEPs also underline”the need to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization” and call on the EU to combat acts of anti-Semitism in Europeincreasing since the start of the war.
The resolution was the subject oftough negotiations between the majority parties, the Christian Democrats (EPP) and the Socialists (S&D) having torn each other on Tuesday during a debate in the European Parliament on the war between Israel and Hamas. The socialists had not digested the visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Israel a few days after the tragedy, without the German calling on the Israeli government to show restraint.
“This resolution is crucial because we show, as Parliament, that we are united in these times of barbaric violence.”
The text was adopted by 500 votes in favor, 21 against and 24 abstentions, which means that the main political groups have found a form of unity around this new war in the Middle East caused by the massacre committed by Hamas.
“This resolution is crucial because we show, as Parliament, that we are united in these times of barbaric violence“, declared Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open Vld), negotiator of this resolution and at the origin of the introduction of the call for a “humanitarian pause”.
“The most important is that the violence stops and that the aid that the Palestinian people need is authorized“, she added. The liberal’s amendment was supported by socialists, Christian democrats and environmentalists. PTB elected representative Marc Botenga considers this resolution as “a real scandal“.
Israel’s Ambassador to the EU and NATO, Haim Regev, said “satisfied” with this resolution. “There is no doubt that if this war comes out of Gaza it will have implications in Europe,” he said, “we are not asking Europe for money or military aid, we ask him to understand what is happening and continue to support us“.
“Humanitarian break”
In this resolution, MEPs call for the immediate release of all hostages kidnapped by Hamas and recognize Israel’s right to self-defense “as enshrined and framed by international law“.
MEPs ask:a humanitarian break“, emphasizing the fact that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute “serious violations of international law”.
“There is no doubt that if this war comes out of Gaza, it will have implications in Europe.”
The resolution also deplores the death of 471 Palestinians during the explosion at Al Ahli Episcopal Hospital in Gaza, and calls for the opening ofan independent investigation to determine whether this was a deliberate attack.
MEPs support the strengthening of humanitarian aid to Palestine, while calling on the European Commission to thoroughly review this aid to ensure that money does not end up in the coffers of terrorist groups.
Role of Iran and Russia
The resolution condemns Iran’s support for Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region. It calls for including the entire Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanese Hezbollah on the EU’s list of terrorist groups. The deputies also demand investigations into the role of Iran and countries such as Qatar and Russia in the financing and support of terrorism in the region.
Rise of anti-Semitism
Parliament is also concerned about the increase in anti-Semitic speeches, rallies and attacks against Jews since the start of Hamas terrorist attacks. He calls on the EU to take all appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of citizens of the Jewish faith.
“For ten days, two million Jews in Europe have not slept at night. They no longer feel safe. Many receive threats,” reacts Rabbi Menachem Margolin, president of the European Jewish Association (EJA).
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