The Party of European Socialists condemns the latest series of Israeli airstrikes of the Gaza Strip. The bombardment is reported to have killed at least 400 people (deaths still going up) and injuring hundreds. The attack is in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel and undermines all chances of reaching a lasting solution for the crisis. We reiterate our position that the two-state solution is the only viable option for ending the bloodshed in the Middle East.
The airstrikes on Gaza follow Israel’s two-week blockade on aid and its decision to cut electricity to the desalination plant supplying fresh water to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The recent actions of Netanyahu’s government have placed the security of the ceasefire in jeopardy and leaves a solution for Israeli hostages further out of sight.
PES President Stefan Löfven, said:
The suffering of the Palestinian people must end. Israel’s attacks on Tuesday mark another tragic turn in the conflict, further contributing to the devastation of Gaza, which is already in ruins. The escalation of violence by the Netanyahu government following its decision to resume the bombardment of Gaza, presents an existential threat to the ceasefire and undermines the chances for a lasting resolution.
We stand firmly by our call for all hostages held by Hamas to be released and with Israel’s right to security which must be uphold. As the conflict in the region persists, it is imperative that the international community firmly upholds its principles to bring an end to this crisis. We call upon the European Union and the international community to adopt more stringent measures against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, which continues to deliberately violate human rights and international law.
The conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday fall short in addressing the EU’s role in pressuring Netanyahu’s government. With our inaction, we risk becoming complicit in this conflict. History will judge us. It’s imperative for the HRVP to lead decisively in this regard. What actions will the EU take to pressure Netanyahu’s government and strive for an end to this conflict?”
Moreover, the increased settlement expansion and annexation activities in the West Bank, driven by Netanyahu’s government, violate international law and reinforce entrenched patterns of systematic discrimination, segregation, oppression, domination, violence, and other inhumane acts against the Palestinian people, as reported by the OHCHR.
As Europeans, we must continue to defend that the only viable solution for a political horizon for the Palestinian people to achieve peace, stability, and security for all in the region is that it be based on the two-state solution. The PES stands firmly by the two-state solution as a lasting solution of the crisis, based on international legitimacy and on the Arab Peace Initiative.
European Socialists and Democrats believe that the European Union cannot proceed with business as usual. Its role, along with the international community, in addressing and resolving this conflict will significantly impact our credibility as an international actor, our capacity for conflict resolution, and our standing on the global stage. At this crossroad in the conflict, and taking into account the political developments by key players in the region, the EU must take a strong stance in line with its values.
