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S&D vice-president for foreign
policy and human rights, Elena
Valenciano MEP, said:
"The Israeli government and the right-wing majority in
Knesset may think that decisions they make these days
will go unnoticed by the international community due to
the summer break. They will not. These new
laws represent another serious attack against
democratic values and fundamental freedoms in the
country.
“The Nation State Law not only
downgrades the status of Palestinian Arab citizens and of
Arabic language in Israel, but also encourages
segregation through the promotion of Jewish settlement as
a national value.
“Preventing human rights defenders from meeting children
in schools and declaring them the enemy of the state is
unacceptable. Breaking the Silence is
and will remain a close partner to the S&D Group. We
continue to support the important work they do towards
achieving peace.
“We side with Zionist Union, Meretz and Joint List
Members of Knesset who voted against these laws.
“All this happens against the backdrop of demolition and
transfer orders imposed on Khan al-Ahmar and other
Bedouin villages in the Negev and in Area C in the
occupied West Bank; and the ongoing violence around the
Gaza Strip, where rockets and killings must stop,
ceasefire must be respected, and another war must be
prevented.
“The international community, including the European
Union, has to say it loud and clear: Israel is not above
international law and standards. Acts and decisions must
have consequences. It is in this spirit that I reiterate
our call for a genuine assessment by the European Union
whether Article 2 of our Association Agreement with
Israel is still fulfilled."
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