EU Resolution Slams Settler Violence, Detention and Blockade

EU Resolution Slams Settlements, Settler Violence, Administrative Detention, And The Blockade Of Gaza

July 9, 20120 comments

by Julie Webb-Pullman
08/07/2012

In a joint motion for a Resolution, The European Parliament last week reiterated that all Israeli settlements remain illegal under international law, condemned Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, demanded an end to the Israeli practice of Administrative Detention of Palestinians, and reiterated their calls for “the immediate, sustained and unconditional lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip…”

The Resolution pays particular attention to settlements in Area C and Jerusalem, expressing “its deepest concern about developments on the ground in Area C in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem and calling on the Israeli Government to stop all construction and extension of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and to dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001.”

Regarding settler violence, the Parliament demanded the Israeli Government and authorities bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice and hold them accountable.

In addition to ending Administrative Detention, the Parliament calls for the release of Palestinian political prisoners, particularly members of the Palestinian Legislative Council including Marwan Barghouti, and the immediate release of Nabil Al-Raee, the artistic director of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp.

It also calls for the “full and immediate implementation” of the agreement reached to end the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike.

The European Parliament noted the decision of the Council to extend the mandate of the European Border Assistance Mission Rafah until 30 June 2013, while calling for the “immediate, sustained and unconditional lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip in terms of persons, the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, and for steps allowing for the reconstruction and economic recovery of this area.”

Israel’s damage to Palestinian persons and property was not the only focus – they also called on the European External Action Service and the European Commission to investigate allegations of damage done to EU-funded structures in the occupied territories, and report back to Parliament.

ENDS

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