MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Gilad Shalit

9.3.2010

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Fiorello Provera, Bastiaan Belder, Lorenzo Fontana on behalf of the EFD Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0171/2010

B7‑0171/2010

European Parliament resolution on the case of Gilad Shalit

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which calls "on those holding the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to release him without delay",

 

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East and in particular to the resolution of 4 November 2008 on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails,

 

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

 

- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was abducted on 25 June 2006 by a joint force of Palestinian militants who burrowed to an Israeli army guard post on the Israeli side of the border with the southern Gaza Strip,

 

B. whereas the abduction was claimed by Hamas's military wing, in league with an umbrella group called the Popular Resistance Committee which includes members of Fatah, Islamic Jihad, and Hamas itself,

 

C. whereas according to the Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict Gilad Shalit meets the requirements for prisoner-of-war status under the Third Geneva Convention; therefore he should be protected, treated humanely and be allowed external communication according to that Convention; whereas the ICRC should be allowed to visit him without delay and information about his condition should also be provided promptly to his family,

 

D. whereas the International Committee of the Red Cross has been repeatedly refused access to ascertain Gilad Shalit's precarious health condition,

 

E. whereas a video showing the captured soldier received in October 2009 is the most conclusive proof of life of Gilad Shalit, pictured while he was holding a Gaza newspaper dated Monday 14 September,

 

F. whereas the negotiations for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to date seems to be in a deadlock, as Hamas has failed to respond to an offer made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,

 

1. Reiterates its call to those holding the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to release him without delay;

 

2. Calls on those holding the abducted Israeli soldier and the authorities of the Gaza strip to grant access to the International Committee of the Red Cross to Gilad Shalit and to fully respect his prisoner-of-war status, according to the Third Geneva Convention;

 

3. Supports negotiations for the exchange of prisoners between the two sides and encourages all parties involved to end the current deadlock and come to an agreement;

 

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the UN Secretary-General, the President of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, the President of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, the Speaker and Members of the Knesset.