In yet another escalation of its war on Palestinians, the Israeli government began a ground invasion of Gaza city, and almost simultaneously announced a new settlement in the West Bank which would displace several thousand Palestinians and, as far right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “bury” the possibility of a two-state solution.
Vula Tsetsi, European Green Party co-chair said: “The Israeli government’s ground invasion of Gaza City, home to over 1 million Palestinians, is part of the ongoing genocide being committed by the Israeli government against Palestinians. The current escalation is moving us further away from a peaceful solution, rather than bringing it closer.
European leaders rightly took decisive, firm action for Ukraine. But their silence on Israel's genocide against Palestinians has been deafening. This is totally unacceptable. We repeat our demands for a full embargo on arms and equipment exports to Israel, and urge the European Commission and Member States to immediately suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and move to recognise the State of Palestine.”
EGP co-chair Ciarán Cuffe concluded: The government of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli military are responsible for some of the gravest violations of international law and human rights in recent memory, including mass displacements, the destruction of hospitals, aid blockades, leading to urgent UN warnings of famine. The Netanyahu government must be held accountable before the International Criminal Court for war crimes. We urgently need an immediate and lasting ceasefire, full legal accountability, and unhindered humanitarian access, and Hamas to release all the hostages. The EU cannot continue to be complicit through inaction.”
