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

Charles Tannock, Bas Belder on behalf of the ECR Group

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

B8‑0074/2014

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

(2014/2723(RSP))

The European Parliament,

A.     whereas Hamas’ aggression and constant terror against Israel and its citizens have placed Israel in a position where it has to defend itself and its citizens against this aggression;

B.     whereas Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU and Israel;

C.     whereas Israel has accepted the Egyptian ceasefire initiative on 15 July 2014, while Hamas has rejected it saying that it will intensify its fight against Israel, and has put forward unrealisable demands;

D.     whereas between 12 June and 7 July 2014 Hamas and other terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip fired 300 rockets indiscriminately into Israel, with the intention of causing serious civilian harm;

E.     whereas Hamas currently has around 12 000 missiles aimed at Israeli cities due to its heavy investment in offensive weapons;

F.     whereas figures suggest that 174 Palestinians have been killed and a further estimated 1 230 injured, including terrorist fighters belonging to Hamas and other terrorist organisations in Gaza;

G.     whereas Hamas has been known for using Palestinian civilians as human shields and has called on Palestinian civilians to return to their homes, while Israel has noted that the areas concerned were to be attacked;

H.     whereas 240 Israelis have been injured;

I.      whereas the Israeli government is currently allowing for a greater than normal supply of food during Operation Protective Edge, allowing into Gaza on 10 July 2014 some 200 trucks carrying food and basic supplies;

J.      whereas on 10 July 2014 the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, told the UN Security Council that there was a real risk of an all-out escalation in Israel and Gaza;

1.      Calls for the immediate reinstatement of the November 2012 ceasefire; strongly condemns the rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip, which Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza must cease immediately;

2.      Stresses the overwhelming need for a demilitarised Gaza and a stop to Hamas’ armament based on self-production;

3.      Stresses that Israel has the right to protect its population from these kinds of attacks, and has shown great restraint in its military operation in Gaza to destroy the rocket launchpads and medium- and long-range missiles stationed there, which are used to deliberately and indiscriminately target the Israeli civilian population; stresses the need for all sides fully to respect international humanitarian law, and that there can be no justification for the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, which is a war crime in international law;

4.      Recognises the efforts by the US, Egypt and Qatar to broker a ceasefire, and urges the PA to reopen its dialogue with Israel; welcomes any future restoration of the PA as the controlling authority in Gaza;

5.      Stresses that both Israeli and Palestinian citizens have the right to live in peace and security;

6.      Notes with concern that owing to Hamas’ control of the Gaza Strip an estimated 17 000 Gazans are currently seeking shelter with the UN and that thousands are without basic facilities including water, sanitation, electricity and food; notes also that fuel and medical supplies are running low;

7.      Reiterates its continued support for the two-state solution, to be negotiated by the Israelis and the Palestinians for a secure State of Israel and an independent, democratic and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security;

8.      Welcomes the international diplomatic efforts to calm the violence between both sides, particularly those of the US Secretary of State and the UN Secretary-General; welcomes EU Member States playing a more active political role in the efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; supports the High Representative in her efforts to restore peace and security;

9.      Urges the EU and its Members States to encourage trilateral trade relations with Israel and the Palestinian Authority;

10.    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.