Middle East conflict

Commenting on the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts said:

"The dramatic conflict in Gaza must stop immediately. We condemn the bombing and shelling of hospitals, schools, and other civilian areas, with the resulting deaths of a shocking number of Palestinian women and children, as reported by Human Rights Watch. These civilians can go nowhere in order to escape the violence as Gaza is under constant siege. There can be no justification for the disproportionate and continued violence against civilians in the most densely populated area of the world. The Israeli Defence Forces must immediately and fully respect international humanitarian law. We also condemn the continued firing of indiscriminate rockets into Israel by Hamas and other groups.

"We welcome the upcoming UN Commission of Inquiry concerned with all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by all sides. Additionally, the EU should look at all legal, economic and diplomatic means to exert influence in order to provide for a sufficiently rapid response. An immediate end to the situation on the ground must be accompanied by full and unhindered humanitarian access to the victims in Gaza."