The resolution also fully supports the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which offers a full normalisation of relations between the state of Israel and all Arab states in return for Israel’s full withdrawal from all Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Gaza and the West Bank, and urges the full inclusion of the Palestinian Authority in this respect.

MEPs called for an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories and stressed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.

They strongly condemned the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians and called for EU restrictive measures to be imposed on extremist settlers violating human rights and international law.

“Those responsible for terrorist acts and violations of international law must be held to account,” a statement issued by the EP reads. 

Finally, the resolution underlines the EU’s strong support for the International Criminal Court’s and International Court of Justice’s work and calls for those responsible for terrorist acts and for violations of international law to be held to account. The taking of hostages and deliberate attacks on civilians are serious violations of international law, they warned.

MEPs expressed their deepest sorrow over the “innocent victims of both sides” and subsequently called for a permanent ceasefire and to restart efforts towards a political solution provided the previously outlined conditions are satisfied.

“While condemning in the strongest possible terms the despicable terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel, they also denounce the disproportionate Israeli military response, which has caused a civilian death toll on an unprecedented scale.”

Besides this, MEPs further insisted on full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip. They also demanded the immediate restoration of vital infrastructure. 

The resolution calls for a European initiative to put the two-state solution back on track and emphasises the absolute necessity of immediately relaunching the peace process. It welcomes the European Union and the Arab League’s Peace Day Effort for Middle East Peace, which was launched just before the 7th October attacks.

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