We call on Hamas, Islamic Jihad and any others holding Israeli children in Gaza to release them and to allow medical treatment for all those in need, immediately and without condition. This was the appeal today from the Foreign Policy Network of the Party of European Socialists (PES).
The Network convened this afternoon for an emergency meeting with HaAvoda (Israeli Labor Party) – an observer member party of the PES – to discuss the large-scale attack on Israel by Hamas militants which began on Saturday.
The continuing attack has killed hundreds, with thousands reported wounded. Hamas militants claim to be holding more than 100 hostages in Gaza.
Chair of the PES Foreign Policy Network Kati Piri said:
“I know all of us were in shock when we woke up on Saturday and saw the horrible events unfolding in Israel. There is no room for anything other than the strongest condemnation of what Hamas is doing. This is an act of terror. In the face of this huge devastation and the human tragedy that is unfolding, we express our solidarity with Israel.
“Today we send a call to Hamas and anyone else holding captives in Gaza: release Israeli children now and allow medical treatment for all those in need, immediately and without condition. This is the immediate step that must be taken, and we are working in our networks to exert maximum international pressure in this direction.”
Jonathan Cummings, International Affairs Advisor to Israeli Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli MK, briefed the meeting, with the participation of Belgium’s Minister of Development Cooperation and Urban Policy Caroline Gennez, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Francisco André, S&D Vice-President Pedro Marques MEP and representatives of PES member parties and organisations.
The Network expressed deep shock, sadness and anger at the brutal attack by Hamas militants and reiterated the PES family’s clear support for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself. In this context, the Network called for a return to stability and security in Israel and a focus on humanitarian assistance for people in Gaza, who were already under extreme pressure before the attack. When extremists take over it is ordinary citizen that suffer first – in Israel and Palestine – and the Network urged all actors to take the path away from extremism and towards political resolution.
On Saturday, the PES condemned the attack by Hamas. In the days and weeks ahead, we will remain in close contact with PES observer member parties HaAvoda and Meretz and continue to monitor developments.
