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

Fabio Massimo Castaldo on behalf of the EFDD Group

B8‑0077/2014

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

(2014/2723(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–         having regard to the Independent’s article ‘Israel-Gaza conflict: Israeli air strike destroys home for the disabled killing two women residents’,

–         having regard to the Gaza situation report of UNRWA of 14 July 2014,

–         having regard to the Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation between Israel and Gaza issued in New York on 13 July 2014,

–         having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

–         having regard to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949,

–         having regard to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966,

–         having regard to the Oslo Accords (‘Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements’) of 13 September 1993,

–         having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989,

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

A.       whereas the current conflict is causing loss of innocent life and intolerable suffering to the civilian population of both parties involved; whereas according to the UNRWA report 174 civilians have been killed, with approximately 1 152 injured;

B.        whereas the escalation of violence has severe implications for the safety of children, the most vulnerable victims of this never-ending conflict; whereas according to the UNRWA report at least 32 children have died;

C.       whereas, despite the Security Council’s clear demand for a ceasefire, the situation in and around the Gaza Strip appears to be worsening, with grave repercussions for the safety of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians;

D.       whereas Parliament has expressed its strong support for the two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and called for the resumption of direct peace talks between the parties;

E.        whereas Parliament has repeatedly supported the right of Israel to exist within safe borders;

F.        whereas Parliament has repeatedly expressed its support for the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, and whereas their right to have their own state is unquestionable;

1.        Expresses its profound concern about the dangerous escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel and strongly urges immediate action to achieve a ceasefire between the two parties involved, thus preventing further people from falling victim to the violence;

2.        Calls for an immediate end to all Israeli military action against Gaza and all rocket and missile attacks from Gaza against Israeli territory;

3.        Expresses its profound consternation at the intolerable level of human suffering and loss of life, and expresses its solidarity with the families of all innocent victims in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict; strongly condemns the violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law;

4.        Stresses the importance of protecting civilians and all vital civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip;

5.        Expresses its profound regret about the death of two disabled women on 13 July in Gaza, bearing in mind that civilians and particularly those suffering from physical disabilities are the most helpless victims of the conflict;

6.        Calls on the international community and the EU to pay special attention to the suffering and needs of women and children involved in this conflict;

7.        Stresses the need for an immediate response to the human drama in the Gaza Strip in terms of provision for food and medical supplies;

8.        Stresses again that the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians cannot be resolved via military means but only through a peaceful and non-violent process; calls again for the resumption of direct peace talks between the two parties;

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

10.      Urges members of the UN Security Council to do their utmost to find an adequate response to the crisis; encourages key regional players, notably Egypt and Jordan, to back the efforts to calm the situation and ensure the evacuation of wounded civilians;

11.      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.