The S&D Group has strongly advocated for today’s plenary debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to once again denounce the ongoing bloodshed perpetrated by the Israeli Army in Gaza and to call on the European Union to take the initiative for an international summit aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the resumption of talks to ensure a lasting peace agreement and the two-state solution.

S&D vice-president responsible for foreign affairs, Yannis Maniatis, said:

“The news we receive daily from Gaza is devastating. Netanyahu’s government does not hesitate to allow the Israeli Defense Forces to bomb schools, refugee camps and UN facilities, while preventing the entry of essential humanitarian supplies. This is unacceptable.

“Israel's right to defend itself is self-evident, but no military operation should be disproportionately cruel to the civilian population, and it must comply with international humanitarian law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice. There is no excuse for not providing humanitarian aid, food and medical supplies in sufficient quantities to address the risks of starvation and the diseases that are ravaging the millions of Palestinians forced to flee their homes.

“Therefore, Europe should take the initiative for an international summit aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the resumption of talks to ensure a lasting peace agreement.

“As the Socialist Group, we remain convinced that the only viable solution is that of two states: an independent Israel, which is secure, and an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, based on the 1967 borders, with West Jerusalem as its capital. We cannot allow extremist factions to exploit the war and undermine peace efforts.”

S&D spokesperson for foreign affairs, Nacho Sánchez Amor, added:

“There are no words left to describe the disastrous situation in Gaza, with unprecedented levels of food insecurity, lack of shelter, clean water and sanitation – basic elements of human dignity.

“Every day, we wake up to reports of recurring massacres of civilians and humanitarian workers, perpetrated by the indiscriminate and criminal actions of Netanyahu's government. The horror of the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas almost one year ago cannot justify the horror now being inflicted on the Palestinians.

“The international community can no longer accept this bloodshed in Gaza. International law must be upheld by all.

“The EU must play its part and use all instruments at its disposal to apply the necessary pressure to stop this manmade catastrophe, including a review of the EU-Israel Agreement.”