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Parliament demands immediate release of all hostages and dismantling of terrorist organisation Hamas
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MEPs reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself, but condemn its disproportionate military response in Gaza
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Taking hostages and deliberate attacks on civilians are serious violations of international law
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Need for rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to the entire Gaza Strip
MEPs demand that all hostages are immediately and unconditionally released and the terrorist organisation Hamas is dismantled.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs express their deepest sorrow over the innocent victims on both sides. They call for a permanent ceasefire and to restart efforts towards a political solution provided that all hostages are immediately and unconditionally released and the terrorist organisation Hamas is dismantled.
While condemning in the strongest possible terms the despicable terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel, they also denounce the disproportionate Israeli military response, which has caused a civilian death toll on an unprecedented scale.
Israel has the right to defend itself within the limits of international law, stress MEPs, which implies that all parties in a conflict must distinguish, at all times, between combatants and civilians, that attacks must only be directed at military objectives, and that civilians and civilian objects must not be targeted in the attacks.
Urgent need for full access to the Gaza Strip
Expressing deep concern at the dire and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, MEPs underline the urgent need for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip and demand the immediate restoration of vital infrastructure.
Putting the two-state solution back on track
The resolution calls for a European initiative to put the two-state solution back on track and emphasises the absolute necessity of immediately relaunching the peace process. It welcomes the European Union and the Arab League’s Peace Day Effort for Middle East Peace, which was launched just before the attacks took place on 7 October.
MEPs also fully support the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which offers a full normalisation of relations between the state of Israel and all Arab states in return for Israel’s full withdrawal from all Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967, and urge the full inclusion of the Palestinian Authority in this respect.
End the occupation of the Palestinian territories
MEPs call for an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories and stress that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law. They strongly condemn the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians and call for EU restrictive measures to be imposed on extremist settlers violating human rights and international law.
Those responsible for terrorist acts and for violations of international law must be held to account
Finally, the resolution underlines the EU’s strong support for the International Criminal Court’s and International Court of Justice’s work and calls for those responsible for terrorist acts and for violations of international law to be held to account. The taking of hostages and deliberate attacks on civilians are serious violations of international law, warn MEPs.
The text was adopted by 312 votes in favour, 131 against and 72 abstentions.
Further information
AJC Welcomes the European Parliament Resolution Conditioning a Gaza Ceasefire on Dismantling Hamas and the Release of all Hostages
Brussels – 18 January 2024 – The AJC Transatlantic Institute welcomes today’s European Parliament Resolution conditioning its call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza on dismantling Hamas and the release of all remaining hostages. The text also condemned Hamas’ brutal attack and hostage taking, Hezbollah’s rocket strikes against Israel, and Iranian and Qatari support for both terror organizations.
“By making clear that a ceasefire can only be reached when Hamas is defeated and all 132 remaining hostages are released, the European Parliament is standing with Israel and backing its right to self defense against this existential threat,” said Daniel Schwammenthal, Director of the the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Brussels-based EU Office, the AJC Transatlantic Institute.
“As Israel’s youngest hostage, baby Kfir Bibas, still remains in captivity on his first birthday while global attention is shifting from the October 7 massacre, it is crucial that the European Parliament reminded the world that the hostages must not be forgotten and Hamas must be dismantled,” Schwammenthal added. “Any attempt to bring about a ceasefire before these goals are achieved would leave Hamas in power to recoup and break this ceasefire at a time of its choosing–just as it did on October 7. Such an outcome would condemn Palestinians and Israelis to eternal conflict and make a two-state solution impossible,” Schwammenthal continued.
The European Parliament’s January 2024 resolution follows a prior resolution(link is external) in October 2023 in which the Parliament backed Israel’s right to self-defense and called for the elimination of the terror group Hamas. On January 16, the European Council also put the mastermind behind the October 7 massacre, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, on its terror list(link is external).
The terror attack on October 7 was the worst attack in Israel’s history. Over 1100 Israelis were killed and a further 250 kidnapped by Hamas. In November 2023, 105 hostages were released in an exchange deal. 132 hostages remain in Hamas captivity. An unknown number of hostages has been murdered by Hamas while in captivity.
Source – AJC Transatlantic Institute