By Martin Banks

The Greens/EFA Group in the EU Parliament have called for an “urgent ceasefire” agreement in the conflict in Gaza to allow for humanitarian relief.

Its leader, Terry Reintke, in a statement, said, “Hamas does not represent a struggle for freedom or the legitimate claim of Palestinians.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating badly. Civilians are dying. Children are dying. People are in need of everything: Food, water, medical supplies. The EU must do everything in its power to provide help to these civilians. And the Israeli government has a responsibility to adhere to international humanitarian law, avoid civilian deaths wherever possible. We must see restraint and precision in the Israeli government’s response to terror, both to reach the hostages and to avoid civilian casualties.”

Jordi Solé MEP, First Vice-President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

“All parties must work for an urgent ceasefire and for the granting of access for humanitarian aid to be able to reach the people in Gaza. Hostages have to be unconditionally released. Palestinian civilians must not be collectively punished for the crimes of Hamas.”

“This conflict did not begin on October seventh and this conflict does not have a military solution. When this bloodshed is over, it’s time to seriously think again about how to build peace.”

Meanwhile, the ECR group in the parliament says there is an “urgent need for immediate action against the rise in anti-Semitism.”

ECR MEP Bert Jan Ruissen, who is also Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Israel, said on behalf of the ECR Group, said, “Hatred of Jews goes hand in hand with hatred of the State of Israel. We have to fight both. Otherwise, our fight against anti-Semitism is by definition a lost battle. What is needed now is leadership and determination. A zero-tolerance policy towards anti-Semitism.”

Ruissen said he was also stunned by the mass open support for Hamas and terrorist organisations in European cities:

“I really don’t understand how some countries still allow demonstrations with very offensive slogans that essentially call for the expulsion of Jews from their own country. This simply cannot be tolerated“.

“The EU should ban organisations in Europe that openly sympathise with Hamas. The ECR Group has tabled written questions to include the organisation Samidoun on the list of terrorist organisations.”

The ECR pointed to a recent study by UN Watch, “which shows that various teachers employed by UNWRA have openly supported the heinous actions of Hamas.”