Socialist group in EP calls for immediate EU action to stop bloodshed in Gaza

BRUSSELS, July 24 (KUNA) -- The group of Socialists and Democrats (S and D) in the European Parliament (EP) Thursday urged EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to fulfill the expectations of millions of Europeans who call for action to stop the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
"Every day of ineffective actions means further victims. Every single day of shameful silence causes sufferings and destruction. What else are we waiting for? EU must behave as a serious political actor by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza Strip and then leading a comprehensive peace conference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," said S and D Group president Gianni Pittella and vice-president Victor Bostinaru in a joint statement.
"Lady Ashton's mandate has not yet expired. The High Representative must meet her responsibilities in this regard, as well as playing a meaningful role in the peace process in Gaza Strip war. There can be no excuse for the lack of EU political initiative," noted the statement.
"We support all international and regional efforts aiming to stop the on-going violence in the Gaza Strip and in Israel. We condemn the continued firing of rockets by Palestinian militants into Israel. We condemn also the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli army in Gaza - an estimated 70 percent of the more than 700 Palestinian victims are civilians, including many children - and we call for an end to this military operation through the de-escalation of the conflict," said the second-largest group in the EP. (end) nk.hb