Next Wednesday, during a plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will discuss the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas in Israel, which was strongly condemned today by all political groups.
“Hamas’ despicable terrorist attacks in Israel” will be discussed by MEPs on Wednesday morning, together with the European Commission and the European Council, and the European Parliament (EP) is expected to adopt a resolution the next day, it said him today. EP spokesperson Jaume Duch in a briefing for the press in Brussels.
Hamas’ surprise attack on Israeli territory, which took place last Saturday, was condemned by all political groups.
“There are no words to describe Hamas’s act last Saturday. We stand side by side with Israel’s National Unity Government to respond to this crime. We do this without any ambiguity,” said Pedro Lopez, spokesperson for the European People’s Party. PPE), which also includes the Portuguese MEPs from the PSD and CDS-PP.
The EPP also warned that the 27 members of the European bloc should not forget that “the war in Ukraine is a permanent crime.”
“We must continue to finance Ukraine. We must not forget this, because other tragedies are happening near Europe,” Lopez emphasized, ahead of the debate on the “Ukraine Facility” program, which provides 50 billion euros in aid to support the crisis. rebuilding the country in the next four years.
“The EU must use all its influence to put an end to violence and indiscriminate attacks on civilians”
Speaking before the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, Utta Tuttlies condemned “with the utmost vehemence” the “terrorist attacks by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians”, to whom he expressed his “deepest sympathy and total solidarity”.
“The priority at this time must be to do everything possible to free all hostages in Gaza, paying particular attention to children and those in need of immediate medical attention. The European Union (EU) must use all its influence to put an end to the violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, which will only cause more innocent victims, more suffering and more extremism, worsening the conflict,” said the spokeswoman for the group to which PS members also belong.
The group Renew Europe condemned “the largest terrorist attack on Israel and its history and the greatest military threat since 1973,” said Catherine Martens, who called Saturday’s violence “an attack on humanity.”
“We call on Hamas for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages and recognize Israel’s right to self-defense within the limits of international law.” he added.
He also warned of the “extremely worrying humanitarian situation, including in the Gaza Strip,” and called on Israel to “act immediately to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe” in the Palestinian territory.
The spokeswoman criticized the European Commission’s “uncoordinated statements” on Israel, which, she said, “contributed to confusion about the EU’s position in that region.”
The European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Hungarian Olivér Várhelyi, even announced the “immediate suspension” of all planned payments and the suspension of all projects, also this year, until a thorough evaluation of all EU money has been carried out has been channeled. to Palestinian territory, but was later denied by the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, responsible for coordinating humanitarian aid among the 27, who said there was no question of an end to humanitarian aid and that there was no of commitments to the Palestinians, even as the EU rejects the violence of Hamas’ attacks.
“This is not the first time that Commissioner Várhelyi has discredited his actions. He has lost our trust for years and must face the consequences of his actions,” Catherine Martens criticized today.
For the Greens, Alex Johnson expressed “shock and the strongest possible condemnation of the horrific mass attacks in Israel.”
“Civilians should not be targeted in any conflict. Israel has the right to defend its security in accordance with international law.” considered, calling for restraint and respect for human rights.
The Greens argue that “only a political solution can bring peace and security to the people of the region,” asking “all parties to return to the negotiating table” and urging the EU to “continue peace efforts in every possible way to support”.
“We demand the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all people held hostage by Hamas”
European Conservatives and Reformists deplored “the largest mass murder of Jews since World War II,” accused Hamas of committing “war crimes” and deplored the Palestinian Authority’s “inability to condemn the Islamist group’s terrorism.”
“We demand the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all hostages kidnapped by Hamas and their reunification with their families,” said parliamentary group spokesman Michael Strauss, who also condemned “Iran’s active role in this conflict” and President of the European Parliament called on Roberta Metsola to “both Hezbollah [movimento xiita libanês] such as the Iranian Republican Guard on the EU’s terrorist list”.
Tobias Teuscher, from the group I&D (Identity and Democracy), “strongly condemned the brutal” and “unprecedented” attack on “Israel and in particular civilian victims” and expressed his “unwavering solidarity” with Tel Aviv.
The representative welcomed the announcement on the freeze of all aid to “Palestinian bodies” and called on the Commission to “look carefully at the way in which European aid has directly or indirectly financed Hamas.”
“We can’t be naive,” he thought.
The left-wing group expressed solidarity with the victims on both sides of the conflict.
“The EU must act with full responsibility towards an urgent ceasefire and de-escalation and must under no circumstances contribute to the worsening of the conflict. (…) If the EU wants to play a role in brokering peace, it must be unequivocal in denouncing all war crimes and violations of international law,” said David Lundy.
The EP plenary session takes place from Monday to Friday in Strasbourg.
Source: DN
