Gaza and Israel: Stop the violence now

Brussels, 16/01/2009

Following another night of violence that included the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, ETUC calls again for resolute and sustained EU action to obtain an immediate ceasefire followed by a lasting negotiated settlement involving the lifting of the blockade of Gaza and security guarantees, with the deployment of EU personnel as appropriate.

ETUC General Secretary John Monks said: 'I welcome the announcement that the EU is freezing talks with Israel about enhanced political and economic bilateral relations. But this cannot simply be presented as a technical move while military action is underway. It must be made clear that Israel cannot expect to participate in EU programmes as has been suggested so long as human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, good governance and international humanitarian law are not fully respected. The EU will also continue to be by far the largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and it must ensure that this is not used in any way in the crucial process of reconstruction to provide succour to the extremists, but rather to help the population out of the dreadful poverty that provides the fertile ground for their activities.'