European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Israel expresses concern about Gaza
Hildegard Bentele. Photo Facebook, Hildegard Bentele
European Union
“With deep concern, we wish to draw your attention to numerous eyewitness reports on the worrying humanitarian situation in Gaza”, the EU Delegation for Relations with Israel writes in a letter to the Israeli Parliament.
Although the Delegation supports Israel in its fight against Hamas, it now also expresses its concerns about the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip. The Delegation requests the Israeli Parliament to ensure that sufficient humanitarian aid is provided to the Palestinian population and that this aid reaches the civilians safely.
The Delegation for Relations with Israel has the task to streamline the relationship between Israel and the European Union. It communicates closely with the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.
Furthermore, it stresses that non-combatants and humanitarian aid workers should never become a military target and humanitarian safe zones are not meant for the forced relocation of Palestinians. Finally, the Delegation also calls for more accountability regarding the “progress of military operations against Hamas” and the possibility for a humanitarian pause to “alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian situation.”
Dignity
The letter, which is signed by MEPs Hildegard Bentele (chair), Bert-Jan Ruissen (vice-chair) and Dan Nica (vice-chair), emphasises the shared values of democracy and humanity and says the Delegation remains committed to cooperation with Israel to “uphold these principles while ensuring security for Israel, dignity for all civilians and humanity as a shared value in general”.
At the same time, the Delegation expresses its continued solidarity with Israel and says that it shares the objective of dismantling the “terrorist organisation” Hamas. It calls for more pressure on the negotiating partners, both from Israel and from Hamas, to end the war swiftly.
Palestinian state
The call of the Delegation comes amid growing international criticism and concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the growing famine in the Palestinian enclave. The EU announced stronger reprisals for Israel if it did not do more to improve humanitarian conditions for the Palestinian population. Moreover, France will recognise the Palestinian state, President Macron recently stated.
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