MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
13.11.2006
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Hans-Gert Poettering, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Elmar Brok, Charles Tannock, Ioannis Kasoulides and Tokia Saïfi
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the situation in Gaza
B6‑0592/2006
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Gaza
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Middle East, particularly those of 27 January 2005,[1] 2 February 2006 and 7 September 2006,[2]
– having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions Nos 242, 338, 1373 and 1397,
– having regard to the Quartet’s ‘Roadmap for Peace’ of 30 April 2003,
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Israel has staged one of the largest raids into the Gaza Strip in recent months, resulting in the loss of civilian life, including the recent bombing in Beit Hanun which caused the death of 19 innocent civilians, including eight children,
B. whereas Prime Minister Olmert’s and Foreign Affairs Minister Livni’s statements expressed profound sorrow for the victims and described the Beit Hanun bombing as being due to a technical mistake, and whereas the Minister for Defence has ordered an investigation; whereas Prime Minister Olmert’s offer to President Abbas of fresh talks constitutes a positive step,
C. whereas the Middle East peace process is in political and diplomatic deadlock, although a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to the establishment of peace and security in the whole region,
D. whereas the European Union, as a member of the Quartet, has a special responsibility for peace and security in the Middle East, which is also one of Europe’s neighbours, and whereas the instruments and methods for the coordination of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) must therefore be improved, inter alia through the adoption of a common position in the framework of the CFSP and on the basis of Articles 15 and 16 of the EU Treaty,
E. stressing that the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Territories is worsening in spite of the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) set up by the international community in order to continue providing assistance to the Palestinian population,
F. emphasising the importance of full implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access,
1. Expresses its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of the recent bombing in Beit Hanun and to all other innocent casualties resulting from the recent violence in Gaza;
2. Declares once again, at this particular stage, that a solution to the Middle East conflict will only be possible through the negotiation of a firm and final peace agreement as set out in the Roadmap, without prior conditions, based on the existence of two democratic, sovereign and viable states, living peacefully side by side within secure and recognised international borders, and that the continuing loss of civilian lives is intolerable;
3. Rejects the Israeli Army’s use of disproportionate force when there is clear evidence to this effect and, although recognising Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence, urges Israel to exercise the utmost restraint in order to avoid any loss of innocent civilian lives, which increases the cycle of retaliation and violence and gives rise to further unnecessary and widespread suffering;
4. Declares that the fair and legitimate fight against terrorism must be carried out within the limits laid down by the rule of law, with respect for the principle of proportionality, through international cooperation and with due respect for humanitarian law;
5. Calls on the Palestinian leadership to bring an end to the firing of rockets on Israeli territory, which is indiscriminate and deliberately targets civilians; calls likewise on all Palestinian armed groups to maintain a truce and to refrain from further escalation, this being an essential element for the establishment of genuine dialogue;
6. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldier in Gaza, and on Israel for the immediate release of Palestinian ministers and legislators in Israeli custody;
7. Urges Israel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, in particular in Gaza, and to guarantee the reopening of the Rafah and Karni crossings, as their closure constitutes another form of collective punishment affecting the whole civilian population;
8. Supports the EU Presidency’s statement urging the Israeli Government to cease all provocative activities in the Palestinian territories, including settlement building, indiscriminate military operations and the demolition of Palestinian homes;
9. Calls on the Council and the Commission to continue to guarantee, together with the international community, essential humanitarian aid for the Palestinian population; demands that the TIM be reinforced and extended in terms of duration and resources; calls on the Israeli Government urgently to resume the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues; calls on Israel to permit the movement of people, respecting the Agreement on Movement and Access in Rafah and at other border crossings in Gaza;
10. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide extra medical aid to the Palestinian hospitals, in particular in Gaza;
11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Israeli Government and Knesset, the US Government, the Government of the Russian Federation, the UN Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the Arab League.
- [1] OJ C 253 E, 13.10.2005, p. 35.
- [2] Texts adopted, P6_TA-PROV(2006)0348.