MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on implementation of the Goldstone recommendations on Israel/Palestine

3.3.2010

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0136/2010

B7‑0136/2010

European Parliament resolution on implementation of the Goldstone recommendations on Israel/Palestine

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights on which the Union is based, set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union,

–   having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

–   having regard to the Geneva Conventions,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East,

–   having regard to the Council conclusions on the Middle East peace process adopted on 8 December 2009,

–   having regard to the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict,

–   having regard to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/10,

–   having regard to the United Nations Secretary General’s report of 5 February 2010 to the United Nations General Assembly,

–   having regard to the fact that Hamas is included in the EU’s list of terrorist organisations,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas armed conflict in Gaza that started on 27 December 2008 and ended on 18 January 2009 saw more than 1 400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis killed and led to considerable destruction of the civilian infrastructure,

B.  whereas the UN General Assembly in its Resolution 64/10 of 5 November 2009 called for investigations by both sides that are independent, credible and in conformity with international standards,

C. whereas none of the EU Member States voted in favour of the mandate of the Goldstone mission,

D. whereas the United Nations Secretary General on 3 December 2009 drew the attention of both parties to the UN General Assembly’s Resolution 64/10 concerning the requirement to provide by 29 January 2010 written information on any steps the parties may have taken or were in the process of taking,

E.  whereas the United Nations Secretary General in his statement of 5 February called on the parties to carry out a credible domestic investigation into the conduct of the Gaza conflict,

F.  whereas the UN General Assembly in its resolution of 26 February 2010 reiterated its call on both Israel and the Palestinian side to conduct credible investigations and requested further reports in five months,

G. whereas Hamas is not a party to the Geneva Conventions but has declared it is bound by them,

H. whereas the Government of Israel has initiated a process and has also investigated 150 separate incidents during the operation in Gaza,

I.   whereas on 25 January 2010 the Palestinian authorities set up an independent investigation commission,

1.  Calls on the European Union through its High Representative/Vice President of the Commission to establish, in harmony with the Union’s above-mentioned values, a clear, bold and principled position towards the recommendation made in the Goldstone report;

2.  Stresses that respect for the rule of law is a fundamental value in the European Union and in its relations with third countries and parties; in this context underlines the importance of ensuring that the parties themselves fully respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law and that this must form an essential element for achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

3.  Strongly calls on the parties involved, including Hamas, to conduct thorough investigations that are independent, credible and in conformity with international standards;

4.  Calls on the parties to fully undertake to abide by and implement any findings that these investigations may conclude;

5.  Underlines that the responsibility and credibility of the European Union and its Member States requires it to fully monitor the investigations;

6.  Calls on the European Union and its Member States to ensure that the outcome of the investigations are fully implemented and that this is reflected in relations between the European Union and the parties;

7.  Recognises the continuing plight of the people of Gaza because of the blockade that denies 1.5 million people not only the necessities required for business and commerce, the ability to provide clean water supplies, repair sewage treatment facilities, and reconstruct buildings destroyed during the conflict, but that also fails to permit the supply of sufficient food, fuel and medical supplies to meet their needs;

8.  Welcomes the call by the Council of the EU on 8 December 2009 for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza, and for full implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative/Vice President of the Commission, the Member States, the Government and the Parliament of the Member States, the UN Secretary General, the Quartet envoy to the Middle East, the Israeli Government and Parliament, the President of the Palestinian Authority, and the Palestinian Legislative Council.