MEPs debate with the Commission the current situation of the War in the Gaza Strip and the need to reach a ceasefire, including recent developments related to the ICJ and UNRWA and in the region.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

VAUTMANS, Hilde (Renew, BE)

SOLÉ, Jordi (Greens/EFA, ES)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

MANDL, Lukas (EPP, AT)

INCIR, Evin (S&D, SE)

KANKO, Assita (ECR, BE)

Situation in the Middle East (T)

War in the Gaza Strip: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75020192/1708702003944_I253372Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Title: War in the Gaza Strip: extracts from the debate (EbS) 

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Our focus must be on achieving an agreement for an immediate end to fighting to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, save lives and free the remaining 130 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. 26 of our member states share that call. In unison, with most of the international community, we have urged Israel not to advance on the Rafah. It would have humanitarian consequences of incredible proportions. Over 1 million Palestinians that have been displaced and have nowhere else to go.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, The situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is equally concerning. Demolitions. Settlement construction. Restrictions on movement and access, as well as settler violence have all surged since 7th October. On the adoption of sanctions on violent Israeli settlers we have an agreement at 26. But as you know, we need unanimity to adopt EU restrictive measures similar to those imposed by the United States months ago.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, But we must move beyond treating symptoms to treating the cause. Israelis, Palestinians and all peoples of the region deserve to live in security, dignity and a stable neighbourhood. But we all know that there is only one viable and sustainable way to achieve all these objectives: a safe and secure Palestinian state next to a safe and secure state of Israel.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lukas MANDL (EPP, AT), My policy is especially for a demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip after dismantling Hamas, which is taking hostage not only Israeli citizens but the people of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians themselves. After dismantling Hamas, there must be demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip observed by Israel, but not only by Israel, by others. We then need civil society. We need education there. We need to fight antisemitism. We need an economy which will be capable to help itself, not be dependent on all the world's aid.

SOUNDIBTE (English), Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), More than 70% of the victims are children and women. Do we, in this Parliament and the EU truly believe in upholding humanitarian principles and international law? Or do we only advocate for their application when it suits our agenda, or when the victims are deemed to be the right ones?

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, NL), The question is, how can we stop Netanyahu from putting into place his Arafat attack plan, which would be an ordeal for more than a million inhabitants in Gaza? Europe needs to ensure that Israel respects the opinion of the International Court of Justice and protect civilians. Because this ruling is binding.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jordi SOLE (Greens/EFA, ES) The reality is that in February compared to January humanitarian aid into Gaza has been reduced to a half. This is just shameful. Speaking of aid to all those governments who have decided to suspend funding to Unwra, I asked them what exactly is the viable alternative to immediately replace UNRWA's operational capacity?

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Assita KANKO (ECR, BE), The UN needs to take a key role now. They think people think it's legitimate for an EU member state to spend the funding of unrepentantly conclusive investigations. But a thorough review could eventually lead UNRWRA to have been replaced by the UNHCR and other credible UN agencies. We demand full transparency and full control on EU funding for UNWRA and the Palestinian Authority. We need minimum respect for taxpayers.