EFA Press Release on Israeli Attacks on the Palestinian People

EFA strongly condemns the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people, which constitute serious violations of international law. 

Following the latest series of Israeli attacks, EFA calls on the international community to protect the rights of Palestinian people and to ensure international law is respected immediately. 

As enshrined in Article I of the UN Charter, self-determination is a fundamental right. The Palestinian people have the right to self-determination, and for their intangible cultural heritage to be respected. Israel’s disregard for the rights of the Palestinian people amounts to what the Human Rights Watch call ‘crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution.’ 

Immediate action must be taken to ensure that human rights violations cease immediately. EFA calls on Europe, and the European Union, to thoroughly condemn the actions of Israel through:

• Ensuring that the Palestinian population of Sheikh Jarrah are protected and allowed to remain in their homes, free from the threat of eviction and Israeli settlements that break international law. 
• Bombings and other attacks on the Gaza strip must immediately end. Civilian casualties cannot be justified under the pretence of the elimination of weapons storage or terrorism.   
• A renewed and fully committed peace process must be created, with true international support and facilitation. 

Europe, and the international community, can no longer turn a blind eye to the human rights violations occurring in the occupied West Bank. Solidarity between peoples is one of the principles of the European Free Alliance. As stated in our Manifesto, EFA stands shoulder-to-shoulder with all peoples suffering from oppression. We call on European and international organisations to demand the respect of human rights by every state concerned, according to international law, and to apply sanctions where needed. 

Videos:

Watch the ‘Living under occupation: Daily Life in Occupied Palestine’ video from EFA MEPs’ visit to the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2013.

Watch the ‘Occupation in the 21st century: Barriers to peace in Israel & Palestine’ video from EFA Group in the European Parliament’s visit to Israel and Palestine in 2015.