SP(2010)2718

B7-0136/2010

B7-0138/2010

B7-0145/2010

B7-0146/2010

RC-B7-0136/2010

Results of vote in Parliament

Following the debate during the sitting of 24 February 2010, the European Parliament adopted by 335 votes to 287, with 43 abstentions a resolution on the implementation of the Goldstone recommendations on Israel/Palestine.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL political groups.

Parliament stresses, once again, the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and between Israelis and Palestinians in particular and underlines that respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law by all parties under all circumstances and trust-building between Israelis and Palestinians are essential components of the peace process.

Parliament reiterates its call on the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and on the Member States to work towards a strong EU common position on follow-up to the report of the fact-finding mission – led by Judge Goldstone – on the conflict in Gaza and southern Israel , publicly demanding the implementation of its recommendations and accountability for all violations of international law, including alleged war crimes .

To reiterate, this report was called for by the United Nations following the armed conflict between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009 which resulted in the death of more than 1 400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis in order to investigate this conflict in an independent and credible manner and in conformity with international standards. This is the reason why Parliament calls on the two parties to conduct credible investigations, in line with the resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly.

In parallel, Parliament calls on the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and on the Member States to monitor actively the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Goldstone report by consulting the EU's external missions and NGOs working in the field. It also calls for these recommendations and related observations to be included in EU dialogues with both sides, and in multilateral fora.

Members welcome the efforts made by the UN General Assembly to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law during the Gaza conflict.

Parliament stresses that respect for the rule of law is a fundamental value both within the European Union and in its relations with third countries and parties. Parliament urges the European Union to take into consideration the outcomes of follow-up investigations and of the implementation of the Goldstone report's recommendations vis-à-vis all the parties.

Recognising the continuing plight of the people of Gaza as a result of the blockade, Parliament welcomes the call made by the Council on 8 December 2009 for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings to the Gaza Strip.

Parliament expresses its concern about pressure placed on NGOs involved in the preparation of the Goldstone report and in follow-up investigations, and calls on authorities on all sides to refrain from any measures restricting the activities of these organisations.

It should be noted that a proposal for a competing resolution, tabled by the EPP group, was rejected in plenary by 243 votes to 364, with 60 abstentions.

T7-0054/2010

Debate in Parliament