The S&D Group calls for an immediate end to violence and
condemns the loss of Palestinian lives in the Gaza Strip. About
60 Palestinians were killed and more than two thousands injured
amid clashes with Israeli forces on the Gaza border
yesterday.
S&D Group president Udo Bullmann said:
“Yesterday and today mark another tragic chapter in the history
of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We condemn the massive loss
of Palestinian lives and strongly support the call made by High
Representative/Vice-President for utmost restraint in
order to avoid further casualties. Israel must put an immediate
end to the disproportionate use of force against protesters,
while the organisers of the protest have to avoid that the
demonstrations be abused for violent purposes incited by Hamas or
other groups. We also call for unimpeded access to medical and
blood supplies for the injured.
“The right of Israel to exist within secure borders and to defend
its territory, as well as the right of Palestinians to
self-determination through a sovereign state, are unquestionable.
But Israel cannot achieve security by occupation, while
Palestinians can only fulfil their aspirations by non-violent
means. The only solution remains a negotiated peace agreement
accepted by both sides with the support of the international
community. It is in this spirit that we continue to support the
two-state solution with the state of Israel and the state of
Palestine living side by side in peace and security along the
1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps and Jerusalem as
the capital of both states.
“It is also in the same spirit that we continue to protest
against the decision of President Trump to move the US embassy in
Israel to Jerusalem without offering any hope to Palestinians.
The breaking of the international consensus over the status of
Jerusalem has contributed to the current climate of violence. We
call on all EU member states to stick to the international
consensus and to avoid a similar move. This is of crucial
importance for the credibility of the European Union and its
foreign policy in the world.”
