We should be afraid and angry about the current escalation around Gaza because this has nothing to do with security and will increase insecurity in the region.

The situation in the area had been relatively quiet recently: now we see an escalation. Why? The Israeli economy is in difficulty: there is an election approaching: Netanyahu’s Party (Likud) is merging with a hardline party (Israel Beiteinu) and needs to assert this new identity. We are hearing that there had been negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians about longer-term ceasefire, opening Rafah and helping to boost the economy of Gaza – which needs that possibility as there is at least a 30% unemployment rate there..

Any progress has now been halted – again.

This conflict has nothing to do with increasing security; securing peace or securing prosperity – it has everything to do with internal politics.

The international community must take action. It is not enough to simply secure a ceasefire, essential though that is.

We have to tackle the ongoing injustices:
The increase in illegal settlements
The apartheid wall
The imprisonment of children
The check-points, the arbitrary arrests, the delays getting medical care, the everyday humiliations and difficulties that stop the Palestinian people from living normal lives, developing their own economy and strengthening democracy and human rights.
Having a viable, Palestinian state
All of that would offer security for both the Israeli and Palestinian people

The EU is the largest multi-lateral donor to the Palestinian Authorities. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner. The EU must use that power.

We need an arms embargo both in to and out of the area. No-one should be selling arms there. Nor should we be buying arms there, as Israel grows as an arms producer.

We should invoke the Human Rights clause of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and suspend that agreement.

We should be tracing the money behind the illegal settlements and stopping that support which does nothing to bring about a solution.

The Palestinian people will be at the UN at the end of the month, seeking recognition: will our Government support that?

We have to stand firm. Aggression must not pay.

We need a ceasefire now.

Stop the killings.

Freedom for the Palestinian people.

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The recent escalation in hostilities from both sides of the conflict, which have seen almost 70 people killed – including children – and many hundreds more – including journalists – injured, mocks international human rights standards, she said.

“The EU must use all the lawful and peaceful means at its disposal to to try to stop the killing and guarantee the human rights of all living in Palestine and Israel,” Ms Lambert said.

“It must immediately suspend Israel’s preferential trade deal with the EU, by invoking its clause requiring both parties to the agreement to respect international human rights law – and explore other means of using trade negotiations to try to prevent and future violence and bringing both Israel and a viable Palestinian state into the international community.

“Further, we must declare an immediate arms embargo to stop the flow of weapons into both Israel and Gaza.”

She made her comments at a demonstration against the recent escalation in violence – which has seen more than 1,000 Israeli attacks on Gaza in the last four days.

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Speaking after the vote, Jean said:

“As a longstanding advocate of a lasting peaceful and just resolution in the Middle East, I welcome the vote for a strong position on the Goldstone report as a positive step forward in the peace process.

“The Green Group has endorsed the report’s recommendations from the beginning, including the call for both parties to respect and be held accountable for violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, and the demand for both Israel and Palestine to conduct their own domestic investigations that must meet international standards of impartiality, transparency, promptness and effectiveness.

“Crucially, the European resolution [2] adopted by Parliament also asks the EU to work towards a strong common position to closely monitor and assess effectiveness and genuineness of these domestic investigations, as well as the implementation of the further Goldstone recommendations.

“I also welcome the call for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossings along the Gaza-Israel frontier to allow for civilian reconstruction and the position on NGOs stating both sides should refrain from any measures restricting the activities of these organizations.”

Jean concluded:

“The ongoing blockade of Gaza is an outrage and is robbing thousands of any sort of hope for a normal life. The Goldstone report is important: we now want to see real action from EU Governments and Council in response to Parliament’s vote.”

09/03/10

Jean released a statement ahead of the vote, in which she commented:

“I will endorse a European Parliament resolution which supports Israel being held to account; an end to the siege and an opening of crossings for civilian reconstruction; for steps to include Hamas in peace talks, removing them from the terrorist list as a constructive step and to help Hamas act in a way that assists the implementation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Palestinian territory; and which supports NGOs and civil society to uphold human rights and call those in authority to account.

“I have been a longstanding advocate of a lasting peaceful and just resolution, which respects democracy and human rights. Along with Green colleagues, I will continue to press for progress in line with these principles.”

Notes

[1] For the full text of the Goldstone Report, see: http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf

[2] The joint European Parliament resolution (put together as a result of resolutions from different political groups) can be read at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-0145&language=EN

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