Vula Tsetsi, European Green Party co-chair said: “We welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between the US, Iran and Israel, though the inflammatory rhetoric from President Trump in the hours preceding it was shameful and irresponsible. However, this ceasefire will come as little comfort to civilians in the south of Lebanon who have already faced air strikes and evacuation orders in the few hours since the agreement was announced overnight. Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has denied that the deal also covers the conflict with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
“This war was flawed from the beginning. It was started and fought outside of international law. The deaths and displacement of countless civilians on all sides have shown how little the respective leaders care for civilians. The Israeli government is establishing what it is calling a ‘security buffer zone’ just over the border in Lebanon. Israel must immediately cease operations and withdraw from Lebanon. Under no circumstances should this be turned into a permanent occupation.”
Ciarán Cuffe European Green Party co-chair said: “This temporary ceasefire must lead to a permanent end to this conflict. The EU can and should play a much more prominent role in reinstating international law. They should begin by calling out Trump and Netanyahu for contravening the norms that our international community has been built on.”
“This war is a wakeup call for Europe. Our dependence on fossil fuels from autocratic leaders is making us vulnerable. The age of petrostate dominance of international politics must come to an end. The European Union must accelerate investment in solar and wind energy, energy storage and energy efficiency in order to become more autonomous.”
