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EURO-MEDITERRANEAN
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
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Brussels, 20 January 2009
BUREAU STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN GAZA
The Bureau of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) welcomes the cessation of military action and urges the Israeli authorities and Hamas to respect the ceasefire in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1860 of 8 January 2009. It considers that the right to live in dignity is the inalienable right of each and every individual – Palestinian or Israeli.
A. Remains shocked by the continuing suffering of the civilian population following the Israeli military intervention in Gaza; recalls that attacks targeted directly at civilians represent a severe breach of international law; strongly condemns the targeting of UN facilities and civilians and expresses its deep sympathy towards the families of the victims;
B. Calls for the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from Gaza, the sustained re-opening of the crossing points, the lifting of the blockade and the prevention of illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition into Gaza;
C. Is dismayed by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, resulting from months of blockade and embargo; calls for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment;
D. Calls on European and Mediterranean partners to work together with the members of the Quartet and all parties to the conflict to bring about a prompt resumption of the peace negotiations, under the aegis of the United Nations; a negotiated truce should include the presence of a multinational force on the ground, with a clear mandate, as part of an overall political objective aimed at the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions;
E. Invites the Co-Presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean to increase its efforts in order to halt the ongoing violence and supports diplomatic initiatives so far undertaken by the international community and regional Mediterranean partners; encourages all efforts for inter-Palestinian reconciliation and welcomes the mediation already deployed by Egypt in this regard;
F. Reaffirms its full support to the creation of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State within the 1967 borders living side-by-side with the State of Israel in peace and security within internationally recognised frontiers in compliance with all relevant United Nations resolutions, the terms of reference and principles of the Madrid conference, including “land for peace”, the Roadmap, the agreements previously concluded by the parties and the Arab peace initiative.
G. Stresses that worldwide efforts made at enhancing mutual understanding between communities and cultures must not be jeopardized by the current situation in Gaza and by the escalation of violence which leads to the rise of extremism, fundamentalism and antisemitism;
The EMPA Bureau will meet on 29 January 2009 and will ensure that its next EMPA plenary session, to be held in Brussels on 16-17 March 2009, will provide an opportunity for all delegations involved in the Middle-East peace process to reinforce political dialogue.
President of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
President of the European Parliament
Vice-President of the EMPA, President of the Jordanian House of Representatives
Vice-President of the EMPA
President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
Vice-President of the EMPA
President of the Moroccan House of Representatives
