"Putting an end to the embargo that is smothering the Gaza Strip" and "meeting the international obligations undertaken under the Convention of Geneva to ensure access to humanitarian aids, assistance and basic services": this is asked of the Israeli Government by a resolution that was put to the vote today by the EU Parliament. The Gaza Strip "is smothering in a serious humanitarian crisis due to the raids and closings imposed by the Israeli army: the increasingly massive devastation of public services and homes, the destruction of hospitals and schools, access denied to drinkable water, food and electricity, and the destruction of tillable land, are causing a true catastrophe for the civilians", denounced the deputy president of the EU Parliament, Luisa Morgantini, who has recently come back from Gaza. The EU, she added, "must take full responsibility for the respect of lawfulness, first and foremost by strengthening the existing agreements between the EU and Israel about free movements and access, but also by forcing the Israeli Government to respect the international law on human rights". "This she concluded is the only way to achieve a fair, long-lasting peace and give credibility to the International Peace Conference of November".
