The call comes ahead of the informal meeting of EU ministers in
Prague Thursday 8. It follows Israel's rejection of European
attempts to secure an immediate ceasefire during a visit of the
EU's most senior representatives to the region on Monday 5 January.
Both Israel's offensive in Gaza and Hamas rocket attacks into
Israel have caused civilian casualties.
"Israel has shunned diplomatic efforts by the EU and the
delegation has returned empty-handed. The EU's credibility is now
at stake. It is inconceivable that we should extend further
benefits of European partnership to a government that violates
international humanitarian law and refuses negotiation in favour of
continued violence. It is time for robust EU action to bring about
an immediate ceasefire and end the violence on all sides," said
Daleep Mukarji, Director of Christian Aid UK and Ireland.
The coalition of organisations from over 10 European countries -
including Oxfam International, World Vision and Muslim Aid - warns
that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, already dire
following the 18-month blockade, has been pushed to crisis point by
the current military conflict.
More than a million Gazans face extreme shortages of electricity
and water, and thousands of people have fled their homes. Food
stocks are running short. Hospitals are struggling to function
without electricity, relying on generators, and are unable to
provide adequate care to the high number of casualties. Sewage is
flooding into the streets of Beit Hanoun as the waste water pumping
stations are shutting down due to lack of electricity.
"This is not the time to be awarding benefits to a party to the
conflict. The civilian casualties and destruction of homes, schools
and basic infrastructure in Gaza are shocking and increasing every
day. The EU cannot proceed with upgrading our relations with Israel
while such violations are talking place," said Souhayr Belhassen,
President of FIDH.
The coalition calls on the EU to uphold fundamental European
principles by:
- Suspending the EU-Israel upgrade process until a full, complete
and permanent ceasefire has been agreed by all parties and Israel
provides unimpeded humanitarian access;
- Making publicly clear that partnership with the EU should be
linked to respect for human rights and international law;
- Securing action in the United Nations Security Council to adopt
a binding resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire, and
includes effective monitoring to ensure adherence to it by both
sides.
"The EU agrees that an immediate ceasefire and an opening of
Gaza crossings is our only hope for alleviating the desperate
situation in Gaza and providing security for people on both sides.
The EU must now apply real pressure to convince Israeli and Hamas
leaders to accept this and redouble its efforts to achieve
sustainable peace in the region," said Jeremy Hobbs, Executive
Director of Oxfam International.