At the September plenary session in Strasbourg, we voted on a Joint resolution on Gaza. In addition to the final text, we voted on the amendments that clearly demonstrate my position, as well as that of other Croatian MEPs, on the recognition of Palestine, the military embargo on Israel, the protection of journalists in Gaza and on the demand that the EU guarantee the safe navigation of the humanitarian convoy to Gaza.
With this resolution, Parliament for the first time clearly called for a permanent ceasefire, recognition of the Palestinian state and the imposition of targeted sanctions on Israeli ministers. Small and insufficient, but we still see a change in the atmosphere in the European Parliament.
However, it seems that even humanitarian aid and protection of journalists' lives were too controversial for HDZ MPs, so they decided - to vote AGAINST or NOT to vote at all.
Joint Resolution Gaza at breaking point: EU action to fight hunger and the urgent need to release hostages and move towards a two-state solution
Amendment 28 which calls for an immediate and complete military embargo against Israel including weapons, ammunition, dual-use goods and surveillance technologies, as well as a ban on all arms transfers and transports to Israel and the exclusion of entities owned or controlled by Israeli corporations from European funding.
Amendment 26 which calls on all Member States to recognize immediately and unconditionally the State of Palestine in accordance with international law.
Amendment 47 which condemns the systematic attacks on and killing of Palestinian journalists and media workers; recalls that the killings, intimidation and censorship of journalists constitute grave violations of human rights; calls for an urgent international mechanism to protect journalists operating in Gaza and calls for those responsible for attacks on the media to be held accountable and sanctions imposed against them.
Amendment 40 which calls on the EU and the Member States to guarantee safety, freedom of navigation and unhindered access to all humanitarian vessels in Gaza, in particular the Gaza Sumud flotilla, and to allow them to deliver essential food, water, medicines and medical supplies to Gaza.
