Greens/EFA Group call for permanent ceasefire

Tomorrow, Members of the European Parliament will vote on a resolution on the “Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation”. In the second resolution since the brutal Hamas attacks on Israel in October, the European Parliament will vote on calling for a permanent ceasefire for the first time.

Jordi Solé MEP, EFA-President and First Vice-President of the Greens/EFA who is negotiating the resolution on behalf of the Greens/EFA, commented:

“We Greens/EFA call for a permanent ceasefire. A permanent ceasefire is crucial for bringing an end to this human suffering and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza after more than 100 days of war and with 23,000 people killed, amongst them at least 10,000 children, entire families, journalists, doctors, teachers and aid workers from international agencies. We strongly condemn both the disproportionate response by the Israeli military and the brutal attacks committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians on 7th October, and urge for all hostages to be released.

“The targeting of journalists, aid and medical workers is unacceptable and must end. International humanitarian law needs to be respected and the EU needs to continue and step up its diplomatic efforts to prevent regional escalation. We fully support the ongoing work of the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice. It should be up to the courts to do their work to end impunity so that justice can prevail.

“We welcome the deal on providing urgently needed aid to people suffering so much in Gaza. The EU must use all of the tools at its disposal in order to bring an end to this conflict, and alleviate the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The two-state solution remains the best guarantee for dignified, peaceful and safe co-existence of Israelis and Palestinians.”