On Thursday, Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to the leaders of the EU Commission and Council urging an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid access, Euractiv reported.
EU heads of states meet on October 26 and 27, with Ukraine, the Middle East, the new EU budget and migration on the agenda. Despite divergent opinion on the Israel-Hamas military conflict, the countries reached a final agreement on Thursday calling for “pauses for humanitarian needs.”
Seventy-six members of the European Parliament sent a letter on Thursday to the heads of the EU Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen, head of diplomacy Josep Borrell, and European Council President Charles Michel.
The letter was signed by legislators from the Green/EFA groups (32), S&D (13), Renew Europe (9), The Left (16) and non-inscrits (6). Together they represent only about 10 per cent of the total number of seats and 21 per cent of the seats held by progressive forces.
“We are addressing you by means of this urgent letter in order to express our utmost concern regarding the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza, and call on your responsibility to undertake urgent EU action in order to prevent a catastrophe.”
The EU Parliament issued a resolution on 19 October for a “humanitarian pause”, but now MEPs are demanding “an immediate ceasefire.” The letter also calls for the “lifting of the total siege” and “unimpeded humanitarian access” to the Gaza Strip.
“We, the undersigning Members of the European Parliament, count on you as EU representatives, to undertake decisive action to protect human lives and international humanitarian law.”
