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Minister for European Affairs
Paula Lehtomäki in the European Parliament; situation in
the Gaza strip
The European Union is deeply concerned about the
incidents of violence that have taken place in Gaza
during the past weeks. Several people died in connection
with the Israeli incursion into the Gazan town of Beit
Hanoun on 8 November, and in the fateful artillery fire
accompanying their retreat from the scene, nearly 20
Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.
In addition to that, several people got wounded.
Military action has also caused havoc to the city
infrastructure. The EU is extremely sorry for the deaths
and injuries caused by the violence.
The Palestinians have simultaneously continued the
random firing of Qassam rockets to cities in Israel,
such as Ashkelon and Sderot. In addition to injuries and
material damage, one person has been reported dead as a
result of these attacks. The EU has urged the
Palestinian leaders to do their best to make an end to
these strikes.
The European Union cannot accept the use of violence and
has therefore asked both sides to renounce violence.
Every state has the right to defend itself, but self-defence
does not justify excessive use of violence or measures
similar to the ones seen in Beit Hanoun. Israel has to
make its action appropriate in relation to the situation
and to comply with the provisions of international
humanitarian law. Security does not apply to one party
only but to all people in the Middle East region. The
European Union has urged Israel to stop its military
action in Gaza.
The European Union has also asked the Palestinian
leadership to make an end to the rocket attacks that
have been continuing with varied intensity throughout
the autumn. The purpose of the attacks is presumably to
reinforce fear and insecurity, which, of course, is
wrong towards the civilian population. The Israelis
should not live in an atmosphere of constant fear,
because they are equally entitled to live in peace as
all others. The Palestinians must disengage from the use
of violence as an instrument to pursue political ends.
The deepening circle of violence threatens to dash all
hopes of the re-opening a new Middle East peace process.
Events like the ones described above only bring the
parties further away from the existing opportunities,
especially now that a peace process, aiming at
negotiations on two separate states, would be necessary.
The objective still is the creation of a viable
Palestinian state - a state that would exist peacefully
side by side with Israel. The European Union hopes that
events like the ones in Beit Hanoun will not discourage
the parties and the international community from
striving for a sustainable and equitable peace.
The European Union also hopes that the attacks in Beit
Hanoun will not suppress the Palestinians' desire to
continue to seek mutual harmony and such a government of
national unity that could fulfil the terms set by the
quartet. The entire international community needs a
respectable party to its side. The Palestinians are
entitled to a government that represents the interests
of all citizens.
The humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people has
also been a cause for concern in the European Union. The
economic and humanitarian situation of the Palestinian
regions is unbearable. The situation would be much
better and the Palestinians would find it easier to
move, if Israel kept the Rafah and Karn crossing points
open. The European Union has also urged Israel to
transfer the customs and tax revenue it has collected on
behalf of the Palestinian Authority. This could markedly
facilitate the economic situation on the Palestinians.
The EU has tried to do what it can to help the
Palestinians. This year, a total of 650 million euros
have been channelled to the PA via various channels, 25%
up on the previous year's assistance. The so-called
Temporary International Mechanism, TIM, has served as an
effective instrument to support the Palestinians, and we
hope that also Israel and others could benefit from the
mechanism.
In light of the past few days' events, the situation in
the Middle-East is thus not very favourable - however,
we should find the strength to believe in a better
future. The EU wants to support the peace process in
every possible way. |
