Text tabled : B7-0522/2012

  Vilja Savisaar-Toomast (ALDE), in writing. − (ET) It is regrettable that another tense situation has arisen in the Gaza Strip which fortunately has already ended in a ceasefire agreement. I strongly condemn such an escalation of violence, which has resulted in loss of life and unacceptable suffering among the civilian population of both parties involved. I supported the adoption of this joint resolution; however, I could not support the paragraph concerning Palestine’s bid to become a UN non-member observer, as this has nothing to do with the current critical events, and I believe that these two very different issues should not be addressed jointly. This resolution can and should have only one purpose – to end and prevent acts of war between the parties to avoid the suffering of innocent civilians.