MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 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

Cristian Dan Preda, Arnaud Danjean, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Elmar Brok, Gunnar Hökmark, Michèle Alliot-Marie on behalf of the PPE Group

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

B8‑0073/2014

European Parliament resolution on the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine

(2014/2723(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council on the Middle East Peace Process, in particular those of 12 May 2014,

–       having regard to the statement of 8 July 2014 by the spokesperson of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on rocket fire from Gaza and ongoing retaliation operations of the Israeli Defence Forces,

–       having regard to the United Nations Security Council statement on Gaza of 12 July 2014,

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

A.     whereas three Israeli students kidnapped in the West Bank on 12 June 2014 were killed and found near Hebron on 30 June 2014; whereas in retaliation a Palestinian boy was kidnapped and killed in Jerusalem on 2 July 2014;

1.      Condemns in the strongest terms the killing of the three Israeli students and of the Palestinian boy; expresses grave concern about the situation in Gaza and Israel and considers deeply regrettable the loss of civilian life; expresses its condolences to the families and friends of the victims; stresses that all attacks must end immediately, as they cause unjustifiable suffering among innocent civilians, and calls for an urgent de‑escalation and cessation of hostilities;

2.      Calls for an end to the rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip, which Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza must cease immediately, and to the Israeli attacks on Gaza; stresses the need for all sides fully to respect international humanitarian law;

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

4.      Stresses again that peaceful and non-violent means are the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; calls again for the creation of the necessary conditions for the resumption of direct peace talks between the two parties;

5.      Welcomes the Egyptian peace initiative and its acceptance by Israel, and calls on Hamas also to accept this initiative;

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