After two years of relentless mass bombings and targeted killings that followed the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023, the ceasefire that was finally announced on 9 October this year, and the peace plan presented for Gaza, offered some hope and possibility for dialogue. Since then, the fragile ceasefire has been threatened by continued Israeli bombs, civilian deaths, and restricted humanitarian access.
Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza, countless more are facing life-altering injuries, millions have been forced from their homes, and infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and entire neighbourhoods lie in ruins. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry confirmed what was long evident: what has unfolded in Gaza amounts to a genocide. Every State thus carries a legal obligation to, first and foremost, prevent its continuation, but also to ensure accountability for the crimes committed and to bring those responsible before justice.
The suffering has been unbearable to witness, and hundreds of thousands of citizens across Europe have taken to the streets to protest the war crimes and the lack of action to stop them. Social Platform’s mission has always been to advance social justice for all people, regardless of background or identity. These values do not stop at the borders of Europe.
We therefore call on the European Union to use all instruments at its disposal to keep up the pressure on the Israeli government so that the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid under UN supervision and the protection of civilians are guaranteed. Further to this, the EU must make sure that there is accountability for the atrocities committed. This is a binding requirement under international law as well as a moral duty.
The future of the people of Gaza, all of Palestine, and Israel, the credibility of the multilateral system, and the reliability of international law – they all depend on what course of action the European Union’s leaders decides to take in this critical time.
