Expanding Israel’s military campaign in Gaza will endanger the lives of Israeli hostages, bring more death and suffering to Palestinians, and push peace further out of reach. The Socialists and Democrats condemn Prime Minister Netanyahu’s escalation of the war and reiterate calls for urgent EU action to end the bloodshed.

Yannis Maniatis, S&D vice-president, said:

“More death and destruction – that is what this horrific decision means. Countless people, both Israelis and Palestinians, are going to be killed because of Netanyahu’s senseless strategy, which goes against the security of Israel and the hostages, and is opposed by civil society and the Israeli people.

“Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, many shot dead begging for food. Two million people have been displaced. Humanitarian aid has been withheld. Now, they will face direct military occupations. All this in clear violation of International Law. 

“Given the seriousness of the situation, these developments must urgently be discussed by the EU's Foreign Affairs Council as well as in the AFET Committee of the European Parliament.”

Nacho Sanchez Amor, S&D AFET coordinator, said:

“It’s time for the EU to step up and act in the name of humanity. The situation demands an EU response: suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, enforce a comprehensive arms embargo, and guarantee humanitarian access in Gaza. The EU must no longer be silent.”

Earlier this week, S&D president Iratxe García – alongside the presidents of the Greens/EFA and Left groups – wrote to president von der Leyen, president Costa and high representative Kallas calling for urgent action from the EU to help end the massacre in Gaza and uphold international law. Read the letter in full(opens in a new tab) [1].

The S&D Group remains committed to a two-state solution as the way to achieve long-lasting peace.

Since the brutal terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, which left 1,195 Israelis dead and 251 kidnapped, the Israeli government has unleashed a devastating military campaign resulting in the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians, the displacement of nearly two million people, and the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure. Hunger is being used as a method of war: more than 6,000 humanitarian trucks remain blocked, while hundreds of civilians have been shot dead while seeking food. In the West Bank, almost 1,000 people have been killed, and settler violence has reached unprecedented levels.