Gaza: Time for reasonable people on both sides to come together

4.32.43pm GMT Thu 16th Nov 2006

In an unusually tough resolution on the current situation in the Gaza strip following the deaths of 19 civilians last week in Beit Hanun, the European Parliament today indicated that it was losing patience with the continued failure to break the dreadful cycle of violence in the region.

The joint text called for a multinational force similar to that now operating in Lebanon to be sent to protect both Palestinian and Israeli civilians. It also asked ministers to examine whether Israel was in breach of article 2 of its Association Agreement with the EU as a result of its latest actions. The Parliament demanded an end to the economic blockade of Gaza and called on the Council to convene an international peace conference similar to that in 1991 in Madrid.

Graham Watson (Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament) called for the EU to step up its presence and influence in bringing "reasonable people on both sides together in search of a peaceful resolution to the 40 year old conflict".

"The time is over. We cannot wait any longer. The international community cannot continue to condemn while waiting for time to solve the situation. It is a disastrous strategy that leaves the stage to others. We must re-launch the talks and the negotiations. We must waste no time in deploying international and military observers in Gaza. We must reinvigorate the commitment of the Quartet, and I hope that the US will reinforce its role by assisting in the negotiations as a test-case of a new multilateralism," he said

Chris Davies (UK, Lib Dem) who visited Gaza earlier this month and negotiated the text for the ALDE group, described the adoption of the new position as a 'watershed'. "Israel's response to the firing of rockets by Palestinian militants has been shocking. MEPs of all parties are now saying 'enough is enough."

"The EU has stood aside and wrung its hands for too long. MEPs are calling now for it to take an active role to end the violence and bring the two sides to the negotiating table."