Acta literal de los debates

Martes 22 de octubre de 2024 - Estrasburgo

3. Necesidad urgente de un alto el fuego en el Líbano y de proteger la misión de la FPNUL en vista de los recientes ataques (debate)

  President. – The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on the urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks (2024/2889(RSP)).

  Janez Lenarčič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, I would like to thank the European Parliament, also on behalf of High Representative Borrell, for convening this session.

Lebanon is a fragile country, gravely weakened by multiple crises and at risk of being further destabilised by Israeli operations, which would also have wider repercussions on the region and beyond. The civilian population of Lebanon is paying the highest price. The country is facing the most devastating conflict in a generation, with almost 2 500 people dead, one in five Lebanese displaced, and with 43 % of the displaced being children.

The lack of space in shelters disrupted education. Numerous attacks on healthcare facilities, increasing number of deaths among health and other relief workers, and the high risk of disease outbreak are only some of the elements underlining the need for an immediate de-escalation of this conflict and the ceasefire.

UNIFIL's stabilisation role is essential for Lebanon and for Israel, and this role will become even more critical in the perspective of a ceasefire. It is the responsibility of the UN Security Council to define the mandate of UNIFIL. And, according to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, UNIFIL is supposed to be the only armed force, together with the Lebanese armed forces, to be deployed in the south of Lebanon.

The cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese armed forces has been remarkable so far. The EU is committed to further empowering the Lebanese armed forces and to facilitating their cooperation with UNIFIL. To this aim, the Council of the EU has recently approved a new assistance measure for the Lebanese armed forces, worth EUR 15 million under the European Peace Facility. The Lebanese armed forces play a key role in guaranteeing Lebanon's national security, stability and sovereignty, and this is also in the interest of Israel's security.

The EU is equally committed to scaling up our humanitarian engagement in Lebanon. Humanitarian needs in Lebanon are huge and increasing by day. There is an imminent need for more humanitarian funding. For this reason, the EU allocated an extra EUR 10 million to Lebanon to address the most pressing needs of the conflict affected populations, both injured and displaced. This includes the provision of health and shelter services. Additional EUR 13 million for Lebanon are in the pipeline. This comes on top of the EUR 64 million already allocated earlier this year.

We have also activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to support the Lebanese health sector. A number of Member States have already offered medicine and medical equipment. In addition, to support the most vulnerable and displaced population in Lebanon, the Commission has launched the European Humanitarian Air Bridge. So far, three flights delivered a total of 105 tonnes of the EU humanitarian stocks. More flights with life-saving assistance are being scheduled.

Mobilisation of the humanitarian aid and support to the Lebanese armed forces and UNIFIL will be among the key objectives of the international conference on Lebanon that will be held in Paris this Thursday. The EU welcomes this conference, where both High Representative Borrell and I will actively participate.

The EU and its Member States have always supported UNIFIL and will continue to do so. The fact that 16 EU Member States contribute troops to UNIFIL speaks for itself. High Representative Borrell visited the UNIFIL headquarters next to the southern border during his last visit to Lebanon to emphasise this EU support. UNIFIL's brave decision to remain in the field in the face of threats against it deserves our political support, recognition and respect from all of us. This is crucial for the credibility and the security of multilateral peacekeeping operations, but also for the morale of our troops in the field so that they know that they have our full backing.

This point was made very strongly during the European Council last week, and it is clearly reflected in its conclusions. The European Council condemned the attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces against UNIFIL, which constitute a grave violation of international law and must stop immediately. The European Council also recalled that all actors have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.

The European Council also recalled the need to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, that civilian infrastructure is not targeted and that international law is respected. The recent incidents affecting the civilian population and UNIFIL only make ceasefire even more urgent. We hear the many voices and declarations within Lebanon now calling for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces along the Blue Line.

The European Union supports these voices and is ready to continue playing its part. To ensure that ceasefire is credible and efficient, a strong implementing and monitoring mechanism will be needed. As EU, we are confident that UNIFIL can play this important role.

  Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, en nombre del Grupo PPE. – Señora presidenta, de nuevo estamos ante una crisis en el Líbano, una crisis humanitaria sin precedentes: mucho sufrimiento humano, miles de desplazados y un país en total crisis.

Esto nos obliga, en la Unión Europea, a redoblar nuestros esfuerzos diplomáticos, nuestros esfuerzos políticos, para tratar de encontrar una solución pacífica al conflicto y, sobre todo, para exigir un alto el fuego: un alto el fuego inmediato para que callen las armas. Y, después, tenemos ya que empezar a ver cómo podemos diseñar una estrategia a medio plazo para la normalización política del Líbano, que es un país rehén de una organización terrorista como Hezbolá.

Hezbolá es una organización terrorista y como tal hay que tratarla: no hay que negociar con ella, hay que exigir su desarme y su disolución. Y no hay que distinguir entre brazo armado y brazo político: todos ellos son terroristas porque apoyan el terror y, por tanto, como tal la hemos de tratar.

Por otro lado, me hago eco del llamamiento a que cesen los ataques contra la misión de la FPNUL desplegada por las Naciones Unidas en el sur del Líbano para garantizar la vida y la integridad física de los soldados desplegados en la zona con el contingente militar, que está demostrando una profesionalidad y un valor humano increíbles.

Tiempo habrá en el futuro de ver cuál debe ser el mandato de una nueva misión en la zona, si es preciso, pero de momento han de callar las armas, han de cesar los ataques contra la misión de la FPNUL y nosotros, los europeos, tenemos que redoblar nuestros esfuerzos negociadores y de entrega de asistencia humanitaria al Líbano.

  Γιάννης Μανιάτης, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας S&D. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι, στη Γάζα πάνω από 42 000 άνθρωποι, κυρίως γυναίκες και παιδιά, έχουν χάσει τη ζωή τους. Στον Λίβανο 2 500 άνθρωποι έχουν σκοτωθεί, 1,2 εκατομμύρια έχουν αναγκαστεί να εγκαταλείψουν τις εστίες τους, ζητώντας καταφύγιο ακόμα και στη Συρία. Είναι τόσο μεγάλα τα προβλήματα που η κυβέρνηση του Λιβάνου ζήτησε τη βοήθεια του μηχανισμού πολιτικής προστασίας της ΕΕ για να αντιμετωπίσει τις αυξημένες ιατρικές ανάγκες λόγω του πολέμου. Από την αρχή αναγνωρίσαμε το δικαίωμα του Ισραήλ στην άμυνα και στο να προστατεύει τους πολίτες του. Όμως, αυτό δεν του επιτρέπει να παραβιάζει διαρκώς το διεθνές δίκαιο, βομβαρδίζοντας αδιακρίτως, εκτοπίζοντας εκατομμύρια πολίτες, αποκλείοντας κάθε ανθρωπιστική βοήθεια προς τη Γάζα. Δεν είναι αποδεκτοί στόχοι οι κυανόκρανοι του ΟΗΕ ούτε είναι αποδεκτές οι επιθέσεις προς τον Γενικό Γραμματέα των Ηνωμένων Εθνών. Πρέπει να σπάσουμε αυτό τον φαύλο κύκλο. Ζητούμε άμεση εκεχειρία στον Λίβανο και τη Γάζα και την επιστροφή όλων των ομήρων στις οικογένειές τους.

  Jordan Bardella, au nom du groupe PfE. – Madame la Présidente, mes chers collègues, le 10 octobre 2024, le contingent des Casques bleus des Nations unies au Liban a été la cible de tirs volontaires de la part de l’armée israélienne. Je veux dire ici qu’aucun pays, aucune démocratie ne peut tolérer ce type d’agression délibérée.

Depuis près de un an, dans le seul but d’assurer sa survie, Israël s’est lancé dans un combat légitime visant à neutraliser le totalitarisme islamiste au Proche-Orient. Une lutte nécessaire, qui doit se faire dans le respect du droit de la guerre et des conventions internationales. L’offensive israélienne récente a conduit à la neutralisation des terroristes du Hezbollah, à la solde de l’Iran, qui, depuis quarante ans, sèment la terreur et la pauvreté au sein du peuple libanais.

Parce que l’histoire nous lie, aucun Français, aucune Française ne peut rester indifférent à la situation préoccupante du Liban, à ses souffrances, à ses défis économiques, financiers, démocratiques et civilisationnels. L’histoire du Liban est le réceptacle de celle du Proche-Orient. Chaque crise, chaque conflit se répercute sur sa terre, dans ses frontières et dans sa chair.

La France en a payé un lourd tribut il y a tout juste quarante et un ans, le 23 octobre 1983, lorsque 58 soldats français avaient été lâchement assassinés par les islamistes du Hezbollah lors de la guerre civile. Je veux ici leur rendre hommage. Amie du Liban, protectrice des chrétiens d’Orient depuis saint Louis, la France doit tout mettre en œuvre pour que l’offensive militaire en cours épargne les civils et les infrastructures essentielles. «Vers l’Orient compliqué, je volais avec des idées simples», confiait le général de Gaulle.

La France a un rôle et une tradition historiques. Puissance d’équilibre, elle peut compter sur sa diplomatie comme rempart ultime face à la guerre généralisée au Proche-Orient et au Moyen-Orient, une guerre dont l’onde de choc serait ressentie jusqu’ici, en Europe, et qui provoquerait par la même occasion de nouvelles vagues migratoires sans précédent.

À l’heure où le conflit généralisé menace, il nous incombe de faire advenir ce qui paraît aujourd’hui impensable: la paix, la paix et la paix. Celle-là ne pourra se faire que lorsque le Liban aura recouvré la pleine souveraineté sur son territoire et qu’il sera débarrassé de la mainmise islamiste, du désordre intérieur et des désolations de la guerre.

  Carlo Fidanza, a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, Giorgia Meloni è stata il primo leader europeo a recarsi in Libano in questi giorni.

Lo ha fatto dopo gli inaccettabili attacchi israeliani ai nostri militari, per ribadire con forza che pretendiamo da tutti il rispetto delle truppe UNIFIL, della loro incolumità e sicurezza e del mandato della risoluzione 1701 delle Nazioni Unite. Se necessario, siamo pronti a rafforzare UNIFIL e a ragionare su nuove regole di ingaggio per contribuire a disarmare Hezbollah in quella striscia di terra.

Sul piano politico, a maggior ragione dopo la morte del "macellaio" Sinwar, è tempo di un cessate il fuoco – sia a Gaza che in Libano – e del contestuale rilascio degli ostaggi israeliani ancora nelle mani di Hamas.

Infine, l'Unione europea deve farsi carico della situazione drammatica non soltanto degli sfollati interni al Libano, ma anche dei rifugiati siriani, ai quali dobbiamo assicurare un pronto e sicuro ritorno in Siria per scongiurare una nuova ondata di immigrazione che non saremmo in grado, con le regole attuali, di gestire.

  Christophe Grudler, au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, j’ai une impression de déjà-vu aujourd’hui, à quelques détails près, et toujours aucune déclaration du Parlement européen sur la situation au Liban, sur les attaques contre les Casques bleus ou contre les civils libanais.

Les besoins humanitaires sont énormes: 6 hôpitaux sur 8 sont fermés au Sud Liban, des cas de gale et de choléra surviennent parmi les 800 000 déplacés. Quel manque d’humanité nous contraint, nous Européens, à ne pas réagir officiellement par la voix de ce Parlement? Ce sont maintenant les Casques bleus qui sont pris pour cibles par des bombardements israéliens, d’abord timides, puis délibérés. C’est une violation du droit international, et tout le monde le sait. Vous, nous et l’ensemble de nos collègues ici présents. Qu’attendons-nous?

Nous avons besoin d’une prise de position a minima, d’une déclaration du Parlement européen d’envoyer de l’aide et des médecins au Liban, d’aider l’ONU à accomplir sa mission, de protéger l’aéroport de Beyrouth afin qu’il reste un terrain neutre et accessible, et enfin – et surtout – il faut un cessez-le-feu immédiat.

  Leoluca Orlando, a nome del gruppo Verts/ALE. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, è del tutto inaccettabile l'aggressione militare di Israele contro postazioni e soldati delle Nazioni Unite impegnati con l'operazione UNIFIL di peace keeping.

Non si è trattato di un errore durante una operazione di guerra ma della deliberata violazione della risoluzione 1701, che impone condizioni di rispetto da parte dei contendenti. È evidente che tale condizione debba essere rispettata anche dalle milizie di Hezbollah.

Tale violazione da parte dell'esercito israeliano fa seguito alla gravissima affermazione del presidente Netanyahu, che ha definito "persona non gradita" il segretario delle Nazioni Unite, António Guterres. È inaccettabile il disprezzo e l'aggressione verbale e militare nei riguardi delle Nazioni Unite, il cui ruolo è fondamentale per costruire condizioni di pace, sviluppo e convivenza nel mondo.

Israele ha il diritto di difendersi ma entro i limiti della legalità internazionale, che configura crimini di guerra e condanna ogni forma di apartheid e genocidio. Israele e tutti gli altri contendenti devono cessare il fuoco e riconoscere, non mortificare, bensì promuovere il ruolo fondamentale delle Nazioni Unite, unica organizzazione internazionale al di sopra di contrasti tra Stati e alleanze geopolitiche.

Il Parlamento chiede alla Commissione, con riferimento specifico all'aggressione militare contro UNIFIL, di censurare le violazioni della legalità internazionale da parte del governo israeliano e di adoperarsi per rafforzare la presenza delle Nazioni Unite in Libano, così come in tutto il Medio Oriente, per garantire aiuti umanitari, cessate il fuoco ed evitare e prevenire un'irresponsabile escalation che aggiunga, alla tragedia di Gaza, la tragedia umanitaria del Libano.

  Lynn Boylan, on behalf of The Left Group. – A Uachtaráin, we meet yet again to discuss Israel's escalating assault on Lebanon and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The EU must now reckon with its own ethical and moral failures, because it has been 'business as usual' with the Israeli Government as they have engaged in the most egregious breaches of international law.

And yes, last week, the European Council condemned the attack on UNIFIL. But the question is: who attacked UNIFIL? It was the IDF who attacked them, and it was deliberate. As an Irish MEP, I want to express concern for the 379 Irish soldiers in UNIFIL and commend them for their bravery.

The EU remains the largest trading partner of a country that violates human rights on a daily basis, that deliberately targets UN personnel, that wages an escalating campaign of brutality in north Gaza. How have we reached a point where burning patients alive in their hospital beds is not a red line for the EU? Where is the EU's moral compass?

This week, we will see shameful attacks in this House; attempts to attack and undermine UNRWA – the last lifeline for the Palestinian people. UNRWA provides essential services, including education, health care and support, for 5.9 million refugees.

And I can tell you now, the public are on the right side of history. They have taken to the streets to demand sanctions, to demand the application of international law and for a permanent ceasefire. So now, no more double standards, no more impunity and no more hypocrisy from European leaders.

  Tomasz Froelich, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Der Angriff der Hamas auf Israel ist zu verurteilen, und natürlich hat Israel auch das Recht auf Selbstverteidigung. Aber Israel hat nicht das Recht, den Nahen Osten in Schutt und Asche zu legen. Die Frage ist: Wann hört Verteidigung auf, und wann fangen Verbrechen an? Im Libanon verbrennen Patienten bei lebendigem Leibe. Es sterben Zivilisten, Frauen, Kinder. Ganze Dörfer werden ausradiert. Friedenstruppen der UN werden angegriffen.

Nein, werte Kollegen, das ist keine Selbstverteidigung mehr, das sind Kriegsverbrechen. Das ist die Hölle auf Erden, und mir blutet das Herz, wenn ich so etwas sehe. Es braucht jetzt endlich einen Waffenstillstand. Deshalb auch Schluss mit Waffenlieferungen nach Israel, denn wer Waffenstillstand fordert, aber Waffen liefert, der ist ein Heuchler. Mehr Waffen bedeuten mehr Terror, mehr Flucht, mehr Krieg; darunter leiden alle, auch wir.

Italien hat es begriffen, Frankreich auch, Deutschland nicht. Wir liefern weiter Waffen, obwohl 70 % der Deutschen dagegen sind. Hören Sie doch endlich mal aufs eigene Volk! Es braucht jetzt Diplomatie statt Eskalation, und das Ziel muss sein eine Zweistaatenlösung und Frieden im Nahen Osten.

  Laurent Castillo (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, mes chers collègues, en attaquant Israël le 8 octobre 2023, le Hezbollah s’est rendu coupable d’une guerre qui plonge le peuple libanais dans la tourmente. La sécurité d’Israël n’est pas négociable, celle du Liban non plus.

En tant que président de la délégation pour les relations avec les pays du Machrek, je tiens à exprimer ma profonde inquiétude. Les attaques récentes contre la Force intérimaire des Nations unies au Liban – la FINUL –, qui ont blessé plusieurs Casques bleus, constituent des violations inacceptables du droit international. Ces actions doivent cesser. Elles sont inacceptables.

J’appelle à un cessez-le-feu immédiat au Liban et à une reprise du dialogue fondé sur la mise en œuvre complète de la résolution 1701 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies. La paix passera par le désarmement du Hezbollah.

Aux morts s’ajoute le déplacement de plus de 1 million de Libanais, entraînant des conséquences humanitaires terribles. Notre soutien financier, matériel et humain, déjà renforcé, doit continuer, tout comme nous devons continuer à aider le Liban à retrouver une stabilité politique et économique.

  Nicola Zingaretti (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, in Libano l'Europa c'è: quello che manca è la coerenza e l'unità dei governi. Eppure ciò che abbiamo fatto di buono nella nostra storia lo abbiamo fatto quando abbiamo superato gli egoismi nazionali per guardare più lontano.

Stiamo cercando di farlo per la guerra di Putin all'Ucraina ma non, purtroppo, di fronte alle guerre del Levante, in particolare a Gaza e in Libano, dove è in atto invece un'escalation che minaccia le stesse fondamenta – anche giuridiche – dell'attuale sistema internazionale.

L'attacco alla missione UNIFIL in Libano, voluto dal governo Netanyahu per ridefinire in maniera unilaterale il volto del Medio Oriente, contiene questo rischio e anche per questo va condannato. I governi europei devono cambiare passo, mettere da parte i nazionalismi e cercare tutti il rafforzamento della politica estera comune per esistere e incidere.

È ora di avviare un'iniziativa europea per la pace con un impegno diretto e di altissimo livello: rilascio immediato degli ostaggi israeliani, cessate il fuoco a Gaza e in Libano a tutela delle popolazioni, per aprire un processo diplomatico e costruire una soluzione politica, unica garanzia per una pace duratura.

  Sebastiaan Stöteler (PfE). – Voorzitter, sinds Resolutie 1701 van 2006 was het de bedoeling dat de blauwhelmen van Unifil de grensstreek van Libanon en Israël zouden monitoren, de zogeheten blauwe zone. Unifil had erop toe moeten zien dat daar geen militaire activiteiten werden ontplooid. Niet door Israël, niet door Hezbollah of welke andere club dan ook.

Maar wat gebeurde er? We zagen recente beelden van raketlanceringen door Hezbollah in de richting van Israël, onder de neus van Unifil-basissen. We zagen beelden van Hezbollah-tunnels en wapenopslagplaatsen in de zogeheten blauwe zone, de zone waar Unifil had moeten controleren, de zone waar Unifil de baas had moeten zijn.

In werkelijkheid was niet Unifil de baas, maar Hezbollah. Unifil heeft vreselijk gefaald en nu staat heel Libanon letterlijk en figuurlijk in brand. Het is vreselijk, maar Israël moet orde op zaken kunnen stellen. Unifil zou zich terug moeten trekken, want anders worden de blauwhelmen “blauwschilden” voor Hezbollah.

  Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR). – Voorzitter, commissaris, collega’s, de VN heeft gefaald in Libanon. Volgens VN-resolutie 1701 moest Zuid-Libanon vrij blijven van Hezbollah-strijders. Hezbollah trok zich daar echter niets van aan en legerde er een enorme troepenmacht. Unifil stond erbij, keek ernaar en deed niets.

Israël moest daarom wel militair ingrijpen, zeker gelet op de dagelijkse beschietingen sinds 7 oktober. Nu dit de realiteit is, moeten conflicten met Unifil uiteraard worden vermeden. Maar Unifil moet zich ook één ding heel goed realiseren: de burgerbevolking verdient bescherming, Hezbollah niet. Op het moment dat Unifil in de weg gaat lopen in de strijd tegen Hezbollah gaat er dus fundamenteel iets fout.

Unifil zou – in lijn met Resolutie 1701 – eigenlijk moeten helpen Hezbollah uit het gebied te krijgen. Bijvoorbeeld door erop toe te zien dat de wapenleveranties vanuit Iran stoppen. De VN zou zowel de Libanese als de Israëlische bevolking daar een geweldige dienst mee bewijzen.

  Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Voorzitter, collega’s, Europa heeft deze maand 30 miljoen euro aan noodhulp aan Libanon gegeven. Sinds 2011 hebben we in totaal bijna 1 miljard euro gespendeerd. Maar structureel verandert er niets. Het land is enkel nog verder afgegleden.

Zolang Europa zich beperkt tot het geven van geld en wij ons niet verder politiek engageren, zal er ook niets veranderen. Sorry als ik mij wat cru uitdruk: een zak geld geven kan iedereen, maar waar is onze strategie om Libanon weer op de rails te krijgen? Waar is onze steun in het gevecht tegen corruptie? Tegen de Iraanse invloed? Waar zijn onze inspanningen om het land te stabiliseren?

Laten we er nu in de eerste plaats voor zorgen dat de Unifil-missie versterkt wordt. Zeker niet Unifil terugtrekken en zeker niet de blauwhelmen verzwakken. Zijn jullie het drama in Rwanda vergeten? Tien Belgische blauwhelmen gedood! Unamir dat zich terugtrok en een hele genocide die zich voltrok. Laten we er nu alles aan doen om de blauwhelmen te versterken en te beschermen. Dat is nodig om vrede daar te krijgen en ook hier bij ons.

  Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, dear colleagues, we are safe and free from repression here, and this is a privilege. I said this last session and I might have to say it again next session: we all have a choice to make about how we use this privilege. Will we continue to play into the hands of terrorists and warmongers, accusing each other of anti-Semitism or double standards, using symbols and rhetoric merely to provoke, echoing the deep divisions and escalation in the Middle East? Or will we rise above it? Will we try to understand, to use the different perspectives we have inherited, the deep ties we have with one side or the others as a shared resource to build the bridges so desperately needed?

Dear colleagues, beyond the zero-sum game of brutality and retaliation, there are so many people in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran desperately yearning for peace. But if we, secure in this Chamber, can't even bridge our divides, how do we expect them to do so?

  Danilo Della Valle (The Left). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ancora una volta la maggioranza di questo Parlamento decide di mostrare al mondo la sua ipocrisia e i suoi doppi standard: oggi ci impedite di poter votare una risoluzione che dica anche una sola parola contro il governo Netanyahu.

Prendendo di mira le basi UNIFIL, Israele prende di mira dunque l'ONU, il diritto internazionale, i soldati italiani ed europei impegnati in questa missione di pace. L'obiettivo di Israele è chiaro: vuole carta bianca in Medio Oriente, vuole eliminare ogni possibile testimone dei suoi crimini di guerra.

La scorsa settimana l'UE ha espresso le sue preoccupazioni per queste azioni e Israele, di tutta risposta, ha abbattuto una torre di osservazione UNIFIL. Insomma, se ne fregano delle nostre richieste. Ai 40.000 morti di Gaza, di cui qui potete leggere alcuni nomi, centinaia in Libano e migliaia di sfollati, oggi si aggiunge anche la pressione sul contingente UNIFIL e i suoi 1200 soldati italiani.

Cosa deve accadere ancora prima che l'Unione europea decida chiaramente di smettere il velo dell'ipocrisia e dei doppi standard e si ponga dalla parte dell'ONU, delle popolazioni libanese e palestinese che soffrono in questa guerra e della Corte internazionale di giustizia? L'UE deve approvare l'embargo di armi a Israele e deve sostenere la Corte di giustizia internazionale nel proprio corso.

  Salvatore De Meo (PPE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, lo scenario di guerra che si sta delineando in Libano è profondamente preoccupante e minaccia di estendersi ulteriormente nella regione.

Certamente la strage di Hamas del 7 ottobre ha reso inevitabile per Israele difendersi. Ma anche il diritto di difesa deve avvenire nel pieno rispetto del diritto internazionale umanitario. Per questo motivo gli attacchi contro la base UNIFIL in Libano vanno fermamente condannati, perché mettono a rischio non solo il nostro personale delle Nazioni Unite ma anche la fragile stabilità della regione.

La scomparsa del capo di Hamas rappresenta un'opportunità per spingere verso un cessate il fuoco: ma è necessario lavorare con determinazione per una de-escalation immediata utilizzando ogni canale diplomatico.

Per questo motivo, nella giornata di ieri, il ministro degli Esteri italiano, Antonio Tajani, si è recato in Israele e Palestina: per costruire un dialogo che miri alla cessazione immediata delle ostilità ma anche a una soluzione a lungo termine, ossia "due popoli, due Stati", dove israeliani e palestinesi possano convivere in sicurezza e prosperità.

Questa è l'unica via per garantire una pace giusta e duratura.

  Evin Incir (S&D). – Mr President, colleagues, this show in here unfolds a tragic scene. The name Gaza is being systematically erased from titles of the debate by the right wing and the far-right factions in here.

Meanwhile, horrors erupt in front of our eyes; children of Gaza in anguish. Their cries fill the air and they are burned alive. This is a nightmare created by humans that history really will tell about. No refuge remains – not even the hospitals. Even there, the world watched them burned alive. Sha’ban al-Dalou was one of their names.

How many must suffer? How many must die? Palestinian souls, Lebanese in need, humanitarians driving, journalists, bold UN peacekeepers, and many stories are yet untold.

I turn to the EPP, ECR, Patriots and ESN. Tell me: how many must be killed before you let go of the hands of Netanyahu, and your empathy rises for the Palestinians and Lebanese also? How many must die before you can say 'ceasefire now' for the people of Israel, Lebanon and Gaza, too? The greater the number, the less is your humanity.

  Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR). – Arvoisa puhemies, haluaisin, että kiinnittäisitte huomiota herraan, joka istuu paikalla 457, eli vasemmistolainen meppi, joka kävi täällä puhumassa pöntössä äsken. Hänellä on päällä paita, jossa on QR-koodi, ja kun häntä kuvataan, niin QR-koodin kautta paljastuu sivusto, joka on poliittinen palestiinalaissivusto.

Haluaisin kysyä teiltä arvoisa puhemies, että onko tässä salissa sallittua käyttää tällaisia poliittisia paitoja, poliittisia ilmaisuja, koska ajattelisin niin, että pelisääntöjen pitäisi olla samat kaikille?

  President. – Thank you very much. We will take note of that. And it's true that it's not allowed to expose political messages on your clothes. So please respect that, colleagues.

  Hermann Tertsch (PfE). – Señora presidente, tras un año de guerra provocada por Hamás, Hizbulá y el régimen criminal de Irán, tras inmensas tragedias agravadas porque el terrorista siempre se escuda tras la población civil, con los principales jefes de la matanza del 7 de octubre ya muertos y las organizaciones Hamás y Hizbulá diezmadas, hay una gran oportunidad para una paz estable en el Líbano y en la región.

Para ello, hay que acabar con el secuestro del Líbano por Hizbulá y eso está siendo impedido en este momento porque tenemos unas fuerzas de la FPNUL que fueron llevadas allí para que no estuviera Hizbulá y hoy en día sirven de parapeto a Hizbulá en una guerra abierta. La FPNUL se desplegó para mantener la paz: esa paz no existe, luego debe irse de inmediato. Algunos parecen querer impedirlo para que quizá haya accidentes y víctimas de la FPNUL y poder agitar aún más la animadversión contra Israel. La FPNUL no ha cumplido su cometido contra Hizbulá; ahora, de hecho, protege, sin quererlo, a Hizbulá de las tropas israelíes. Los cascos azules, muchos de ellos españoles, han de ser retirados de inmediato: en la zona de guerra no pintan nada, que se vayan ya.

  Giovanni Crosetto (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, si è appena concluso un importante G7 sulla difesa, nel quale è emersa una forte richiesta di supporto alla missione UNIFIL in Libano, missione che ovviamente noi condividiamo, in quanto la presenza di UNIFIL rappresenta l'unico vero impegno concreto per implementare la risoluzione 1701.

È altresì emersa una forte condanna degli attacchi dell'Iran sul suolo israeliano e, congiuntamente, la richiesta di interrompere dall'Iran il supporto alle organizzazioni terroristiche come Hamas, Hezbollah e gli Huthi.

Noi dobbiamo qui difendere il diritto di Israele di esistere e di difendersi da ogni attacco, ribadendo che il problema non è Israele ma il fondamentalismo e il terrorismo islamico. E al contempo dobbiamo riconoscere che, però, gli attacchi alle basi ONU preconfigurano violazioni del diritto internazionale, diritto al quale ovviamente chiediamo a Israele – come a ognuno degli attori coinvolti – di attenersi.

Nonostante le difficoltà e i fallimenti, abbandonare UNIFIL adesso è impensabile. UNIFIL deve riuscire a esercitare deterrenza e andare via minerebbe la credibilità dell'ONU. Accettare la guerra come unico modo di risolvere le controversie equivarrebbe a negare il diritto delle organizzazioni sovranazionali multilaterali di esistere e questo non ce lo possiamo permettere.

  Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, at this very moment, Israeli Defense Forces personnel are actively putting the lives of UNIFIL peacekeepers at risk in south Lebanon with their deliberate actions. Soldiers from 16 EU Member States form part of UNIFIL, with my own country contributing just under 400 troops at present.

Members of Óglaigh na hÉireann have served continuously since 1978 in UNIFIL and, sadly, 48 of our soldiers have lost their lives while wearing the UN blue beret in Lebanon.

It's a sad situation, colleagues, where munitions sold by EU Member States to Israel are now being fired at the very own soldiers working under UNIFIL in the blue beret. What's worse, the vast majority of Member States are silent on Israel's actions in south Lebanon, and indeed in Gaza.

The EU talks a lot about the rule of law. Yet one country, Israel, gets a free pass for its actions, despite them being contrary to international law, cited by the International Court of Justice, breaching UN resolutions and the UN Charter, Article 2 of the EU-Israel trade association agreement, and, crucially, basic human decency.

The EU must once again become an honest broker in the Middle East peace process. We need to promote the two-state solution, and we need a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the hostages and an immediate ceasefire as well in south Lebanon to ensure there is no more risk to UNIFIL troops.

  Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, la violation du territoire libanais par Israël est inadmissible. Il y a urgence à retrouver la voie du droit international et à condamner les crimes de guerre par voie judiciaire et non militaire. Il y a urgence à rappeler l’essentiel: personne n’a le droit de se faire justice soi-même.

Les attaques israéliennes répétées accablent toute la population libanaise. Elles détruisent chaque jour un peu plus un pays qui était déjà à genoux. Nous, Européens, ne pouvons regarder cela les bras croisés. Face à cet embrasement régional, la FINUL, organe censé maintenir la paix à la frontière, est ciblée. Nos soldats sont en danger. Il est temps de rétablir le droit international et de défendre les Nations unies. Que ce soit la FINUL ou l’UNRWA, l’ONU n’est là que dans un seul but: le respect du droit des populations à vivre dans la paix et la dignité.

Il est encore temps de ne pas laisser le gouvernement israélien, de ne pas laisser Netanyahou piétiner tout ce que la communauté internationale a construit au fil des ans pour faire la paix.

  President. – Thank you very much. The next speaker is Ms Montero. But before I give you the floor, you have to take off your scarf, please. Thank you.

  Irene Montero (The Left). – Señora presidenta, las normas internacionales también impiden los genocidios y aquí está Europa apoyando uno. Esa norma no la cumplen.

Señor comisario, ¿por qué siguen dando apoyo a los genocidas? Esto no es una crisis humanitaria, es una invasión y es un genocidio. Y si Europa dejara de comprar y de vender armas a los genocidas y de permitir el tránsito de armas, si se rompiesen las relaciones comerciales y el Acuerdo de Asociación, Israel no podría acumular más de 43 000 personas asesinadas en Gaza y más de 1 000 en el Líbano.

El ataque a la misión de paz de las Naciones Unidas es un acto de guerra de Israel contra países europeos ante el que tampoco han hecho nada. Si ustedes llaman genocidio al genocidio, si dejan de participar de la propaganda sionista diciendo que Israel tiene derecho a defenderse, entonces el Estado terrorista de Israel tendrá que dejar de arrasar escuelas, hospitales, campos de refugiados, tendrá que dejar de bombardear el Líbano con fósforo blanco y de quemar vivas a personas en hospitales, bajo telas.

Señor comisario, esta es la barbarie retransmitida en directo y ninguno de ustedes podrá decir que no lo sabía. ¿Para qué sirve Europa si dejan que se imponga el más fuerte pisoteando la dignidad de la humanidad y también la legalidad internacional? Ustedes pueden practicar un embargo total de armas y romper relaciones con Israel. Y si no lo hacen, son cómplices.

  Malika Sorel (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, le monde est aujourd'hui en ébullition, la guerre sévit. Cela doit nous inciter à beaucoup de modestie et de sagesse. Je vous demande, Madame la Présidente, de faire respecter le règlement. Nous n'avons pas le droit, en tant que député au Parlement européen, d'arborer des signes politiques. Le keffieh palestinien jette de l'huile sur le feu, nous empêche de réfléchir. Le retirer ne suffit pas, il doit être banni de cet hémicycle. Je vous en prie, Madame la Présidente, plus de symbole politique!

Nous devons, en tant que parlementaires, donner l'exemple et réfléchir de manière calme. Il s'agit de la vie et de la mort de citoyens partout dans le monde. Donc, respectons ce qui nous est demandé. Le keffieh palestinien n'a pas sa place dans l'hémicycle.

  President. – Thank you very much for that. I agree that if you're here and at the speaker's place, then you're not allowed to expose political messages. That's the way I try to rule the debate.

  Željana Zovko (PPE). – Madam President, firstly, I would like to say I sympathise with the victims or injured of the attack on the UNIFIL mission. But above all, we have to understand, finally, that securing Lebanon and especially southern border can be only assured if Hezbollah withdraws its forces from the area and in accordance with UN Resolution 1701. The Lebanese have to take responsibilities. They have to elect their president, that is being hijacked by Hezbollah again, the political wing, and we have to support them in order to make their army able to guarantee the security of the borders as it was.

Resolution 1701 was never respected. It's dead. It's the end. And I welcome the decision not to renew the mandate of Croatian soldiers that were there, to pull them back, the UN Security Council has to reconsider who is defending and who is observing these borders and this resolution. We have to discuss this issue and not to lose our time here spreading political messages.

  Leire Pajín (S&D). – Señora presidenta, quiero interpelar hoy aquí no a nuestros valores e ideas, ni siquiera a los valores constituyentes de la Unión Europea que deberían regir siempre y parecen no hacerlo en situaciones como la de Gaza: quiero apelar hoy aquí al más mínimo sentimiento de humanidad y desde ahí quiero pedirles que condenemos, de una vez por todas, la violación del Derecho internacional humanitario porque, señorías, no, las órdenes de evacuación por parte de Israel no son conforme al Derecho humanitario internacional, no. Los ataques deliberados a trabajadores humanitarios, a cascos azules, son violaciones del Derecho humanitario internacional. Lo que está ocurriendo hoy en el Líbano debe ser denunciado y debemos pararlo: más de dos mil trescientas personas muertas, más de un millón de personas desplazadas, han vuelto el hambre y el cólera al Líbano… Necesitamos ayuda humanitaria y garantías de acceso, necesitamos corredores humanitarios, necesitamos parar esta barbarie y necesitamos estar a la altura. Por eso, exigimos hoy a la Comisión que lo esté, para que podamos mirar a los ojos de nuestros hijos en el futuro.

  Ondřej Knotek (PfE). – Madam President, we shall not mix cause and consequence, and in this debate you are focusing too much on the consequence. So let's be honest: one of the root causes is simply that UNIFIL failed to help to protect the people of Lebanon from Hezbollah. UNIFIL even failed to protect our closest neighbourhood from the presence of those terrorists, which is what we are debating today. And also, to be honest, Hezbollah is supported by Iran and represents a threat not only to the people of Lebanon, but also to Israel. So Israel, just like Ukraine, which we debated in the previous item, is only doing what is necessary: they are protecting themselves.

So, ladies and gentlemen, it would be an application of double standards, if you ask now Israel for a ceasefire. If we are not doing it for Ukraine, don't do it for Israel.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

  Evin Incir (S&D), blue-card question. – Madam President, I'm a bit shocked at what was just said. Am I understanding it correct that the colleague from the far-right bench of this Parliament is saying that it is okay for Israel to attack the UN Blue Helmets, to attack UNIFIL? Is that correct?

  Ondřej Knotek (PfE), blue-card answer. – Madam colleague, you should be careful when people are talking, or go back to school, because I didn't say anything like that at all. Israel protected Israel. It's UNIFIL's problem that they were not careful, because close to their stations and positions, there were terrorists, so maybe they have not been doing the correct work. That's it. Please do not say things that I have not mentioned.

  Jaak Madison (ECR). – Madam President, dear colleagues, first of all, about the facts: the fact is that from Lebanese territory, Hezbollah has been attacking Israel since October last year. That is the fact. They have been supporting Hamas. Hamas has been supported by the very many Palestinians and probably also by the many very left‑wing colleagues here. So they are destroying the ideology that we need to destroy Israel.

What is the fact? UN peacekeepers, they were warned that they are sitting next to the bases of Hezbollah. They were sitting next to it. They were warned. And now the General‑Secretary of the UN is visiting Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin at the BRICs summit. That's fine for you, of course.

So the problem now is there is a lot of hypocrisy. Left‑wing radicals are, of course, providing support with the EU funds that have been deported to Hamas in Palestine. This money has been used to support the Islamic terrorists, to kill Jews and to destroy peace there. We know the facts that Hamas is working together with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Russia, with Iran and North Korea. That is the side of evil. But we are standing on the good side to destroy the terrorists and to finally fight for peace.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

  Barry Andrews (Renew), blue-card question. – Is the speaker aware of the widespread reports that for many years the Israeli Government supported Hamas and facilitated financial support to Hamas through third‑party countries in order to undermine the Palestinian Authority? How does he reconcile that fact with the statements he's just made to the Hemicycle?

  Jaak Madison (ECR), blue-card answer. – Actually, you say big sentences like they have been supporting in history, when sometimes, we know just now the facts. Recently, in the last years, the EU taxpayers' money has been used by Hamas to force the terrorists against Israel. That's the fact in the last recent years. We know who are the good side and who are the bad side. If we don't look at the facts about who is actually working together, you are also supporting terrorists. And that's the problem. You are also supporting the Russian terrorism against Ukraine. You are supporting North Korea, because they are all working together there. And that's why I really don't believe that there will be peace without destroying the terrorists. And that Israel has to win with the good side.

  Irena Joveva (Renew). – Madam President, the escalation of conflict in the Middle East is horrifying, but who is really to blame?

Every day, another attack. Every day, tens of civilians dead, another hospital bombed. Displaced people seeking refuge still become targets in bombed and burnt shelters. Population of Palestine, Gaza, population of Lebanon – even UNIFIL peacekeepers – have nowhere to hide from bombs, destruction, mayhem. People are being burned to death, blown to pieces and shot every day in this war. For more than a year, we have been watching the breakdown of humanity, sending Israel weapons and supporting them with our trade deals. Meanwhile, much like a wildfire, the war has been spreading throughout the region.

For far too long, we have tolerated Israeli actions which only encouraged more brutality. Of course Netanyahu is to blame, but so are we or you. We need to cease support for Israel, cease weapons supply and cease our trade deals, and only then we will have a ceasefire.

  Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE). – Señora presidenta, tenía una intervención preparada, pero voy a decir otra cosa.

Señor comisario, llevo toda la mañana escuchando los argumentos por los cuales hay que apoyar a Ucrania, a su población, y estamos de acuerdo. Pero he pensado: «Hay que decir la verdad». Y la verdad es que es una hipocresía apoyar a Ucrania y no hacerlo con el Líbano o con Palestina.

Las fronteras de Ucrania valen tanto como las del Líbano o las de Palestina que estableció la ONU. Es una hipocresía sancionar duramente a Putin y no hacerlo con Netanyahu: lo que vale para Ucrania también tiene que valer para el Líbano, para Palestina. Es una hipocresía el doble rasero internacional.

Y decidimos aceptar las resoluciones de la ONU, de la Corte Penal Internacional, del Tribunal de La Haya en relación con Ucrania, en relación con Rusia y, en cambio, no hacerlo con Palestina, con Israel. ¿Hasta cuándo seguiremos siendo cómplices? Hasta ahora tenemos las manos manchadas de sangre.

  Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left). – Madam President, looking at the title of the debate, I'm wondering is there a limitation to the amount of text that you can put on the screen. It says 'Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in the light of the recent attacks'. I'll finish it off you: 'by Israel, using weapons provided by Germany and the United States of America'.

There will be no ceasefire so long as Israel has an endless supply of weapons. At this stage, I don't expect any better from the United States of America. In fact, I hear their Secretary of State Blinken is going there today to try and breathe new life into the possibility of a ceasefire. Those words make me sick because they're not serious.

But Germany, the country that keeps saying they will never forget the genocide during the Second World War, I do expect better from ye. But still, you're supplying them with 30 % of their weapons. You've got to stop this, because the reality is you seem to have forgotten, but the rest of the world hasn't forgotten. And we won't forget this either. Stop it now. Stop providing the instruments of death.

  Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE). – Fru talman! Jag undrar hur det kommer sig att Hizbollah har kunnat attackera Israel under det senaste året – flyglarmen har ljudit över hela Israel denna morgon – samtidigt som Unifil under 18 år inte fullgjort sitt uppdrag i enlighet med resolution 1701, av vilken följer krav på nedrustning och upplösning av Hizbollah.

Hur har Hizbollah, trots förbud att operera vid gränsen där Unifil befinner sig, kunnat upprätta tunnlar, bunkrar och vapendepåer, liksom att återkommande beskjuta Israel?

Varför stannar ens Unifil kvar och låter sig utnyttjas som civila sköldar när de misslyckats med sitt fredsbevarande uppdrag och uppmanats att lämna. Israel gör nu det FN inte förmått göra, vilket belyser den impotens som FN karaktäriseras av. EU behöver skyndsamt terrorklassa hela Hizbollah och rikta blickarna mot Iran som destabiliserar hela regionen.

Om morgondagen inte ska påminna om gårdagen, så måste den terror som israeler, palestinier, libaneser och andra folk tvingas leva med en gång för alla elimineras. Därför behöver vi stå bakom Israel, som står framför oss, i kampen mot terroristerna. Bara så kan det bli fred.

  Matjaž Nemec (S&D). – Madam President, dear colleagues, what is happening in Lebanon and in Gaza must shock us. With impunity, Israel is daily committing war crimes. While rejecting peace, Netanyahu got what he wanted: a regional war and destabilised neighbours. He turned the region into his playground.

In the strongest terms, I condemn Israel's attack on the UN peacekeeping mission and civilian infrastructure.

So, dear colleagues, I ask you: when did we accept that it is okay to bomb a school just because a shooter is hiding inside?

So I have this message for a certain EU minister. A civilian can never be – and I stress – is never a legitimate target.

People in Lebanon are desperate. They urgently need our help. We must immediately open a humanitarian bridge. The country is on the verge of collapsing.

I join calls for the implementation of the UN Resolution 1701. We need an immediate ceasefire. We need peace now!

  György Hölvényi (PfE). – Tisztelt Elnök Asszony! A 2022-es libanoni választási megfigyelő misszió vezetőjeként azt kell mondanom, hogy Libanon teljesen reménytelen helyzetben van. Izrael és a Hezbollah közötti konfliktus kirobbanása évek óta várható volt, de ezt a veszélyt sem a nemzetközi közösség, sem pedig a libanoni politikai élet nem kezelte.

A bejrúti parlamentben pontosan behatárolható politikai erőt, patthelyzetet idéztek elő, így az ország már két éve elnök nélkül sodródik, kiszolgáltatva a Hezbollah által gerjesztett konfliktusnak. A keresztény, szunnita és síita felekezetek közötti egyensúly maga jelenti Libanont. E nélkül – értsük meg – nincs Libanon.

Meggyőződésem, az Európai Uniónak és a tagállamaiknak nagy befolyással rendelkeznek Libanonban, és itt szóba jött többször Franciaország, sokkal többet kell tenniük a helyzet rendezése érdekében. Mindenekelőtt gátat kell vetni a humanitárius krízis további terjedésének.

Hadd emeljem ki, hogy Libanon déli részén szolgálatot teljesítő ENSZ békefenntartók munkája szükséges, a biztonságot szavatolni kell, összhangban az ENSZ Biztonsági Tanácsának megfelelő határozatával.

Libanon kizárólag nemzetközi segítséggel képes talpon maradni, önmagában erre az ország nem képes többet.

  Barry Andrews (Renew). – Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, Israel's Ambassador to the UN last week said, and I quote, 'Hezbollah is using UNIFIL outposts as hiding places'. This is patently false. The truth is that the IDF has continuously and flagrantly violated international law, drawing condemnation from the US, from the UK, France, Germany and Italy, in a rare show of moral enlightenment.

Yesterday, an Israeli bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower at a UN position. Last week, two Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of another UN position. Many UN peacekeepers have been injured. So let me take this opportunity to commend the bravery and integrity of UN peacekeepers drawn from 16 Member States. Under intense pressure, they have held the line, carried out route clearances and managed to resupply vulnerable positions, which really underlines how difficult humanitarian access is in the rest of the region.

I am struck by the near unanimity in this House, for once, condemning the actions of the IDF. And I hope this message is heard clearly by the IDF, and especially by those UNIFIL troops, to help them to endure the hardships brought about by the current conflict.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

  Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left), blue-card question. – MEP Andrews, you talk a good talk in here, and what you said earlier was very good and very interesting. But I find it hard to square that with the fact that you are part of a government in Ireland that facilitates US war planes landing at Shannon, facilitates weapons being transported through our airspace.

And while that continues, do you not think you are a hypocrite coming in here, saying you're defending the people in the Middle East, when your government is actually facilitating them being shot in the head?

  Barry Andrews (Renew), blue-card answer. – Well, I don't have time to go through your own voting record on human rights issues, but let me restate that the Irish Government was one of the first to recognise the State of Palestine, has continuously insisted on the support of UNWRA, has demanded that there be a review of the EU-Israel trade agreement, and has been four-square standing behind the people of Palestine against Israeli aggression.

And this is recognised not only by UNWRA, but by the people of Palestine. And they have very much acknowledged and recognised the commitment of the Irish Government in this very, very difficult time.

  Estrella Galán (The Left). – Señora presidenta, el Líbano ha sido siempre un país de acogida, yo misma lo he podido comprobar trabajando en sus campos de refugiados y en sus asentamientos en la propia capital. Con una población de más de seis millones, acoge a casi dos millones de personas refugiadas de una forma solidaria, personas refugiadas que se vuelven a ver obligadas a huir, ahora acompañadas del resto de la población civil. Israel sigue actuando impunemente contra todos y contra todo, también contra nosotros. Primero exigió la retirada de las fuerzas de la ONU y, cuando esta rechazó sus chantajes, no dudó en atacar sus bases y, por tanto, atacó el Derecho internacional. Lo que hace ahora en el Líbano es lo mismo que hace con el UNRWA: Netanyahu quiere evitar cualquier testigo internacional de su política genocida.

Señor comisario, ¿hasta cuándo la Comisión va a permitir esta masacre? Los llamamientos al alto el fuego son ya papel mojado y no evitan ni las muertes ni los crímenes de guerra: detengan ya la compraventa de armas, suspendan inmediatamente el Acuerdo de Asociación con Israel, dejemos las excusas a un lado y sancionemos a Israel, porque, si Israel se llamase Rusia, esto habría sido otra cosa.

  Davor Ivo Stier (PPE). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, uoči međunarodne konferencije u Parizu mi moramo ovdje još jednom naglasiti važnost i potrebu pune implementacije rezolucije Vijeća sigurnosti 1701, jer to je ključ ne samo za prekid vatre nego i za održiv mir.

Ako želimo to, onda moramo podržati implementaciju te rezolucije za izgradnju političkih institucija u Libanonu, za teritorijalnu cjelovitost Libanona, ali i za razoružanje Hezbollaha, koji je teroristička organizacija i kao takvu je moramo tretirati.

Ako želimo doista zaštititi civile, ako želimo zaštititi civile i u Izraelu, i u Libanonu, i muslimane, i kršćanske maronite, nemojmo njih zaboraviti, onda moramo doista tražiti potporu UNIFIL-u, ali i potporu koja će biti isto tako onda u punoj implementaciji rezolucije 1701, a to traži razoružanje Hezbollaha, jer je on prijetnja i Izraelu i unutarnjoj stabilnosti Libanona.

  Marta Temido (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Comissário, a guerra no Médio Oriente agrava‑se todos os dias, atingindo agora também o Líbano, onde os bombardeamentos de Israel forçaram 1,2 milhões de pessoas a abandonar as suas casas. E, na semana passada, assistimos a um ataque do exército israelita à UNIFIL, que segue um padrão de desrespeito já usado em relação à UNRWA.

Esta é mais uma prova de que o que está em causa no Médio Oriente é, para além de uma guerra trágica, um ataque deliberado à ordem internacional, à ONU e agora às suas forças de manutenção da paz.

E é por isso que não desistimos de continuar a reclamar um cessar‑fogo imediato em Gaza, na Cisjordânia e no Líbano, a entrega dos reféns israelitas, alvos do ataque terrorista de 7 de outubro, o respeito pelas regras do direito internacional humanitário e o reconhecimento do Estado da Palestina como condição para a negociação da paz para a região e do desmantelamento dos grupos terroristas.

E é por isso que insistimos em que utilizemos a alavanca da suspensão do acordo de associação entre a União Europeia e Israel e o embargo comercial a todos os colonatos ilegais.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, since Israel's invasion of Lebanon, not only has more devastation been brought in the world, but also another offensive against the rules-based order, which the United Nations has worked to protect since the Second World War. UNIFIL are not in southern Lebanon to attack anyone. They are a force mandated by the UN to keep the peace. Yet, as we have seen, 'peaceful' or 'UN' do not necessarily qualify as exemptions to Israel's reconnaissance, by far.

There are 380 Irish peacekeepers on the front line in south Lebanon with this mission, and over the last 46 years, over 30 000 Irish peacekeepers have been stationed there, engaging in humanitarian activities. Their impact is such that the people speak English in an Irish accent as strong as mine. We must commend to the highest possible degree the peacekeepers for their commitment to their mission in ever-challenging circumstances, and for their bravery against the IDF, who have threatened them and injured their colleagues.

  Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D). – Madam President, what more will it take for the EU to sanction Israel? Israel has turned Gaza into a sea of rubble. It is engaging in the indiscriminate bombing of Lebanon. Now it has threatened the UNIFIL mandate in Lebanon and even attacked UN troops and property.

Of course, this disregard for the mandate of the UN by the Israeli Government is nothing new. For years, Israel has sought to undermine the Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA.

UNRWA is the last lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza. For many, they are the only source of food, shelter and access to healthcare. UNRWA is the only hope we have to start education for over 650 000 children in Gaza – the children that Israel has not gotten around to murder yet. Without UNRWA, an entire generation will be lost to this conflict.

I want to say to those on the right of this House who want to do Netanyahu's dirty work by defunding UNRWA: it is shameful what you are doing. History will surely curse you.

Ireland stands with Palestine and Ireland stands with UNRWA.

  Lukas Mandl (PPE). – Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, time and again, for more than a year already, in each plenary week of the European Parliament, we have to focus on the Middle East, and that's a tragedy, but it's also necessary that we keep attention up for the ongoing attacks, terrorism, war.

And suffering are in the first place citizens, in the case we are discussing today, citizens of Lebanon. Lebanon is not attacking anybody. Lebanon is a battlefield. Lebanon is a battlefield misused by the Iranian mullah regime, just as the Iranian mullah regime misuses its own population for their negative and destructive harmful purposes. And the Iranian mullah regime is not only using Lebanon as a battlefield, but also Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, as well as Hamas as a terrorist organisation, not only against our ally Israel, but against all of us.

So let's keep things to be in order and let's seek for peace.

  Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D). – Señora presidenta, los dobles estándares son el cáncer de la política exterior de la Unión Europea y las metástasis se multiplican por el mundo de modo que nuestro discurso de los valores solo provoca sonrisas de incredulidad.

Estamos actuando como el peor Kissinger: promoviendo y defendiendo violaciones de la soberanía y de los derechos humanos, porque las hacen —para algunos— «los nuestros». Sí, Netanyahu es un conspicuo violador del Derecho internacional, pero para algunos es «nuestro» violador del Derecho internacional.

¿Son las fronteras internacionales inviolables? Pues depende de qué ejército lo haga: si lo hace Turquía en Siria, gran escándalo; si lo hace Rusia en Ucrania, resoluciones y sanciones; pero, si es Israel, se acude al 7 de octubre y a Hamás y se justifica cualquier cosa: los más viles asesinatos de población civil indefensa con la excusa de los escudos humanos, los más enloquecidos ataques verbales y militares a las Naciones Unidas.

Las violaciones son tan flagrantes y repetidas que la cuestión de repensar toda nuestra relación con Israel no va solo de justicia y valores, va también de nuestra credibilidad en el mundo.

Catch-the-eye procedure

  Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, domnule comisar, stimați colegi, cred că cel mai important lucru pe care l-am auzit astăzi în hemiciclu este să ajungem să punem în aplicare Rezoluția 1701 a ONU, să pledăm pentru pace, să nu ne poziționăm, subiectiv, poate, de o parte și de alta. Mesajul nostru trebuie să fie foarte clar: pace, să înceteze războiul. Da, trebuie să vedem cum au ajuns Hamas și Hezbollah să nu poată să fie dezarmate. Avem misiune ONU. De ce de atâția ani nu reușim să punem capăt acestor teroriști?

În plus, cred că foarte bine s-a spus aici – trebuie văzut ce facem cu Iranul, pentru că Libanul a fost atacat de fapt de Iran. Pacea trebuie să fie pentru noi, să ne unească aici, dar să reușim ca Înaltul Reprezentant să-și pună pe agendă acum, primul lucru, discuția cu ONU și punerea în aplicare a Rezoluției 1701. Avem două focare de război și pentru ambele trebuie să luptăm, fără dublă măsură, pentru pace și în Ucraina, pentru pace și în Orientul Mijlociu.

  Γεάδης Γεάδη (ECR). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, όλοι λέμε για σεβασμό του Οργανισμού Ηνωμένων Εθνών και καταδικάζουμε οποιεσδήποτε επιθέσεις κατά του προσωπικού. Να θυμίσω την επίθεση του τουρκικού κατοχικού στρατού στην Κύπρο μαζί με άλλους Τουρκοκυπρίους, πρόσφατα, το 2023. Χτυπούσαν μέλη των ειρηνευτικών δυνάμεων, απειλούσαν να τους πατήσουν με φορτηγά και αυτοκίνητα, έσπρωχναν με μπουλντόζες τα αυτοκίνητα του Οργανισμού Ηνωμένων Εθνών, προκαλώντας ζημιές. Ενέργειες, δηλαδή, που είναι απαράδεκτες και συνιστούν σοβαρό έγκλημα σύμφωνα με το διεθνές δίκαιο. Η αιτία; Ήθελαν να φτιάξουν δρόμο σε περιοχή που δεν τους ανήκει, δηλαδή να επεκτείνουν τα κατεχόμενα εδάφη με πρόσχημα δήθεν ανθρωπιστικούς λόγους· ανθρωπιστικούς λόγους, όμως, για τους οποίους οι ίδιοι είναι υπαίτιοι με την παράνομη κατοχή της Κύπρου.

Τελικά, όλοι έκλεισαν το στόμα τους, τα Ηνωμένα Έθνη υποχώρησαν και η παρανομία υλοποιήθηκε χωρίς καμία αντίδραση ή κύρωση. Οι Τούρκοι έκαναν το δικό τους και όλοι «σφυρίζουν αδιάφορα» για την Κύπρο. Αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι, ο σεβασμός των μελών ειρηνευτικών δυνάμεων είναι … 

(Η Πρόεδρος αφαιρεί τον λόγο από τον ομιλητή)

  Ciaran Mullooly (Renew). – Madam President, the horror of the violent onslaught on Gaza is a live TV news event as we speak. Cameras are showing the bombings every hour and over 40 000 people have already died there. Israel has the right to defend itself, but this is outrageous. It must also respect international law. And in years to come, I wonder what the historians will say about what we did in this House, or what we did not do, perhaps more to the point.

And in the middle of it all are 370 Irish soldiers in the 124th Infantry Battalion supporting the UNIFIL forces there. Young men and women from the Custume Barracks in Athlone, from the Curragh and County Donegal, who have been attacked day after day. The peacekeepers! I spoke to the father of one of these just 20 minutes ago. His son has now been in a bunker for more than 40 hours. A peacekeeper under attack. What a disgrace! At the end of the day, what are we going to do about the situation? The father asks us, why is Israel trying to kill his son, a peacekeeper?

Ladies and gentlemen, the time for action is long gone. A violation of international law must be punished.

  Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, Europa tiene que reclamar el alto el fuego en Gaza y en el sur del Líbano. Señor comisario, Europa tiene que reclamar corredores humanitarios. Señor comisario, Europa tiene que reclamar que se cumpla el Derecho internacional humanitario. Y, por último, señor comisario, hagan por luchar por la paz, luchen contra este genocidio.

La situación en el sur del Líbano y en Gaza es catastrófica. Tenemos peticiones, en estos momentos, de personal médico que nos está diciendo que hay una verdadera catástrofe. Se atacan ciudades, pueblos, hospitales, escuelas… Y, ¿saben?, hay que ir a la geopolítica y saber que la cuestión de las invasiones del Líbano, desde la de 1978, la de 1982, la de 2006 y ahora la invasión, se debe a la causa palestina, y ahora mucho más, porque, si hubiese un alto el fuego en Gaza y el cese de la ocupación, seguramente esta invasión no se produciría. Y hay un culpable, señor comisario: es Israel.

  João Oliveira (The Left). – Senhora Presidente, as conclusões do Conselho Europeu e o título deste debate espelham a dualidade de critérios da União Europeia e a sua cumplicidade com Israel. Sim, o ataque às forças das Nações Unidas deve ser condenado. Sim, esse ataque constitui uma grave violação do direito internacional. E sim, ele foi feito por Israel.

O facto de não se referir o agressor é revelador da cumplicidade da União Europeia com Israel e com a escalada de guerra que leva a cabo com os ataques ao Líbano e a agressão ao seu povo, arrastando a região para um conflito com desenvolvimentos imprevisíveis.

Cumplicidade com Israel, que há décadas faz tábua rasa do direito internacional, que leva a cabo um genocídio em Gaza, pondo em risco a vida de quase 2 milhões de palestinianos – situação sobre a qual a maioria dos grupos políticos e a presidente deste Parlamento recusaram debater nesta sessão.

Sim, é preciso um cessar‑fogo no Líbano e na Palestina. De que lado está a União Europeia, à espera de condenar Israel e tomar outras medidas, incluindo a suspensão do acordo de associação?

  Ondřej Dostál (NI). – Madam President, the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon is present pursuant to a resolution of the Security Council, and under the UN Charter, everybody has a duty to carry out the decisions of the Security Council.

But two weeks ago, Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister – and a Green – suggested it is now Germany's position that Israeli attacks on civilian centres are acceptable, as a matter of 'self-defence', to achieve the goal of 'destroying' terrorists. The position of Czech Government, mostly related to PPE, is similarly shameful.

Ladies and gentlemen, nothing in war is black and white. But few things in international law are easier, clearer, than the distinction between combatants and non-combatants.

Attacking the UN peacekeepers is an abomination, which was in past perpetrated by terrorists, but never by state actors and members of the United Nations.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is why I and eight other Members have submitted a motion calling on Israel to desist from these attacks and to fulfil its obligations under international law. Thanks for everybody in the room supporting this position.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

  Janez Lenarčič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, an allegation was made that EU funds – EU taxpayers' money – went to Hamas. This is a very crude allegation without any proof and I want to categorically reject it here. The sources of funding for Hamas are very well known and they are not in the EU.

Second, calls were addressed to the Commission to stop arms exports to Israel. I wish to clarify that military cooperation between EU Member States and third countries, including Israel, fall completely outside the EU competence and the Commission has zero competence in this matter. This issue would have to be reviewed at the national level.

With these two clarifications, let me try to summarise, on the basis of the discussion that we held, a few key orientations for the way forward and possibly, just possibly, a way out of the crisis in Lebanon.

First, attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately. Second, the Israeli Defence Forces attacks against UNIFIL must also stop immediately. Third, the EU remains strongly committed to supporting UNIFIL. Its role will become even more important in the perspective of a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. And fourth and last, the EU reiterates once again its call for an immediate ceasefire. It actively supports international mediation efforts in this direction and is ready to bring its own contribution to make it possible at the earliest.

  President. – The debate is closed.

Written Statements (Rule 178)

  Idoia Mendia (S&D), por escrito. – Los ataques aéreos israelíes en Líbano se han cobrado más de 2 300 vidas y han desplazado a 1,2 millones de personas, lo que representa una quinta parte de la población libanesa. Durante la ejecución de la estrategia, se han atacado de forma deliberada las inmediaciones de la Fuerza Provisional de las Naciones Unidas para el Líbano (FPNUL), que opera desde 1978, a la vez que Israel ha indicado que deben retirarse los cascos azules. Todo ello, mientras Israel sigue su ofensiva letal en el norte de Gaza. La situación humanitaria es crítica.

Nuestra postura se enmarca en torno al respeto del Derecho internacional y al cumplimiento de la resolución 1701 del Consejo de Seguridad. España es uno de los diez mayores participantes en la misión de la FPNUL y estamos en contra de cualquier retirada de la misma. Del mismo modo, defendemos el cese del envío de armas y de la revisión del Acuerdo de Asociación de la UE e Israel a raíz de la estrategia de Israel contra el Líbano, Gaza y su ocupación de nuevos territorios. Por último, abogamos por una mayor ayuda humanitaria en el marco de la UE al igual que ha constatado el Gobierno de España.

(The sitting was briefly suspended)

IN THE CHAIR: ROBERTA METSOLA
President