The European Parliament adopted by 500 votes to 21, with 24 abstentions, a resolution on the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.
In its resolution, Parliament condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the despicable terrorist attacks committed by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel and expressed its support for the State of Israel and its people. It reiterated that the terrorist organisation Hamas needs to be eliminated. Members called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages who have been taken by the terrorist group Hamas and for the bodies of deceased hostages to be returned. They expressed their deepest sorrow and full solidarity with the innocent victims on both sides, their families and loved ones.
Parliament stressed the importance of differentiating between the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations on the one hand, and the Hamas terrorist organisation and its acts of terror on the other hand.
While recognising Israel’s right to self-defence, Israel must strictly comply with international humanitarian law and, in this regard, Parliament called for the opening channels for providing humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip and for these to be kept permanently open.
Members reiterated their call to include the entirety of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah on the EU list of terrorist organisations and calls for a thorough investigation into the role of Iran, as well as other countries such as Qatar and Russia, in financing and supporting terrorism in the region.
The resolution reiterated its unwavering support for a negotiated two-state solution based on the 1967 lines with two sovereign, democratic states living side by side in peace and guaranteed security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and in full respect of international law. Parliament encouraged the European External Action Service and the Member States to draw up a European initiative to put the two-state solution back on track.
Parliament urged the Commission to initiate a thorough review of all EU financial assistance to Palestine and the region to ensure that no EU funds directly or indirectly finance any terrorist organisation. Humanitarian situation in the region is expected to worsen therefore the Commission should reassess humanitarian aid needs in the region to ensure that EU funding continues to reach those in need of assistance.
Concerned by the increase in antisemitic speeches, rallies and attacks directed towards Jewish people since the beginning of the terrorist group Hamas’s terrorist attacks, Parliament calleds on the Commission and the Member States to take all appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of the EU’s Jewish citizens, including providing immediate protection to schools and places of worship.