On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While non-binding and symbolic, this resolution represents the Parliament’s official stance on the issue. Significantly, this is the first instance when the institution has openly demanded a permanent halt to the violence. [European Parliament press release]
The preliminary text emphasised the necessity for a lasting ceasefire. However, lawmakers from the conservative faction introduced an amendment, necessitating the dismantling of Hamas before the ceasefire could be fully effective. Furthermore, these lawmakers demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. [Original text of the European Parliament resolution]
Despite its contentious nature, the resolution did manage to secure 312 votes in favour, with 131 against and 72 abstentions. The resolution condemned both the “***terrorist attacks***” against Israel by Hamas, and Israel’s “***disproportionate***” military response resulting in high civilian casualties, with over 23,000 Palestinians being killed. In their deliberations, European lawmakers underscored Israel’s right to self-defence within the limits of international law, stressing the importance of distinguishing between combatants and civilians.
Infamous for their aggressive acts, extremist settlers saw their violent actions denounced in the resolution. The resolution also called for EU restrictive measures against those contravening human rights and international law. Hamas’ attacks on October 7th saw a response from the UN Human Rights Office, expressing alarm at human rights breaches that have led to the displacement of close to 1000 Palestinians from their homes. From October 7, 2023, to January 4, 2024, records show an unprecedented fatality count among Palestinians in the West Bank, with over 300 Palestinian deaths resulting from violence instigated by Israeli troops or extremist settlers.
Reechoing their commitment to justice, the lawmakers expressed strong support for the operations of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. They called for those responsible for terrorist acts and the violation of international law to be held accountable.
Putting the resolution in broader diplomatic context, it called for the European Union to step up initiatives aimed at reinstating the two-state solution and bolstering Middle East peace efforts. Moreover, the resolution endorses the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, and exhorts the full normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations once Israel withdraws from territories it has occupied since 1967.
The intricate dynamics surrounding this resolution exemplify the ongoing complexities of achieving a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [Full story on JURIST]