This afternoon, S&D leader Iratxe García will open the high-level conference on 'Peace in the Middle East and the Two-State Solution' organised by the S&D Group at the European Parliament. Ahead of her introductory speech, Iratxe García called for: an end to the attacks by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), lead by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government; an end to the attacks by Hezbollah against Israel; the release of the hostages; the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza; and the start of a dialogue, which will lead to a two-state solution. The conference will include the participation of Josep Borrell, EU High Representative and vice-president of the European Commission, and distinguished speakers including Nasser Al Kidwa, former Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister, and Mossi Raz, former Knesset Member for Meretz.
The leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Iratxe García, said:
"Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, Hezbollah, and the regime of the Ayatollahs. And in its fight against terrorism, it has our full support. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no right to dehumanise people. Palestinians and Lebanese people have the same rights and freedoms as any persons, and their lives must be protected. This is how democracy works.
"After a year of horror in the region and more than 41,000 lives lost in Gaza, how many more deaths do we need before the European Union speaks with one voice in the Middle East? We must stop the carnage in Gaza and Netanyahu's irresponsible drift towards all-out war. It is time to deploy all our power to ensure that international law prevails.
"We have the instruments to make the government of Israel comply with international law: a review of the Association Agreement with Israel, to sanction members of the Israeli government who publicly deny the existence of the Palestinian people, and to lead the arms embargo, so that the European Union is not complicit in Netanyahu's madness.
"At the same time, we must demand the two-state solution from the Netanyahu government, because it is the only possible solution to prevent the human tragedy in the Middle East. Violence can only be avoided with peace – a peace that protects both peoples. Those who oppose the two-state solution have shown no alternative but death, destruction, and pain.
"It is now up to the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate peace. And it is our duty to stand with them. The responsibility of the European Union as a leader of the new era of global prosperity is to act together to contribute to a peaceful and just solution for both Israelis and Palestinians".
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