Motion for a resolution - B8-0075/2014Motion for a resolution
B8-0075/2014

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine

15.7.2014 - (2014/2723(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Louis Michel, Charles Goerens, Ivo Vajgl, Marielle de Sarnez on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0071/2014

Procedure : 2014/2723(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B8-0075/2014
Texts tabled :
B8-0075/2014
Debates :
Texts adopted :

B8‑0075/2014

European Parliament resolution on escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine

(2014/2723(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949,

–       having regard to the Charter of the United Nations,

–       having regard to the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip of 18 September 1995,

–       having regard to the Oslo Accords (‘Declaration of Principles on Interim Self‑Government Arrangements’) of 13 September 1993,

–       having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.     whereas the ongoing conflict is causing loss of life and unacceptable suffering to the civilian populations of both involved parties;

B.     whereas Parliament has repeatedly expressed its support for the two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and has also called for the resumption of direct peace talks between the parties;

C.     whereas direct peace talks between the parties have stalled and all recent efforts to resume negotiations have failed; whereas the EU has called on the parties to pursue actions conducive to an environment of confidence which is necessary to ensure meaningful negotiations, to refrain from actions that undermine the credibility of the process, and to prevent incitement;

D.     whereas international human rights and humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, is fully applicable to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip; whereas Israel is obliged, inter alia, to ensure in good faith that the basic needs of the occupied Palestinian population are met, to administer its occupation in a manner that benefits the local population, and to protect and preserve civilians;

1.      Calls for an immediate end to all rocket and missile attacks from Gaza on Israel and to all Israeli military action on Gaza;

2.      Is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza and Israel, and strongly urges both parties to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza strip and in Israeli territory;

3.      Strongly condemns the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli authorities on Gaza, which has already claimed the lives of nearly 200 people (77 % being civilians, according to UN officials);

4.      Expresses its condolences to all victims of the fighting and to their families;

5.      Welcomes the Israeli Government’s decision to accept the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza; notes that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has also welcomed the initiative, contrary to the Palestinian group Hamas;

6.      Urges the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza and to enable the transit of Palestinian civilians;

7.      Stresses, once again, the fact that peaceful and non-violent measures are the only way to achieve just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; calls, once again, for the resumption of direct peace talks between both parties;

8.      Urges, once again, the EU and Member States to play a more active political role, also within the Quartet, in the efforts aimed at achieving just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; supports the Vice-President / High Representative in her efforts to create a credible perspective for relaunching the peace process;

9.      Reiterates its strong support for the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as capital of both states, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security;

10.    Reiterates its call to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip, linked to an effective control mechanism preventing the smuggling of arms into Gaza in recognition of Israel’s legitimate security needs; calls also for steps allowing the reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza;

11.    Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process, the President of the UN General Assembly, the governments and parliaments of the UN Security Council members, the Middle East Quartet Envoy, the Knesset and the Government of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council.