11 March 2010 - Green Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has welcomed a Euro-Parliament vote in Strasbourg on the Goldstone report (1), which saw a majority of MEPs supporting a strong Parliamentary position on the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza – and breaches of international law.

A long standing and passionate campaigner for peace and justice in the Middle East, the South East Green MEP, who is also Vice Chair of the Parliament’s delegation to Palestine and spoke on the Goldstone Report in plenary last month (2), said:

“I am delighted that colleagues in the Parliament have voted for a strong position on the Goldstone Report. When I visited Gaza last February, I saw first hand the damage caused by Operation Cast Lead and the everyday consequences of the Israeli blockade (3).

“The Goldstone report asks the EU to support an independent committee of experts on international law and criminal investigations to monitor and assess the effectiveness and genuineness of the domestic investigations carried out by the parties to the conflict.

“Green MEPs have fully backed this from the beginning, and also endorse the other recommendations of the Goldstone report which focus on the ongoing serious violations of international law on both sides.

“Given its contractual relations with Israel and its position as main donor to the Palestinians, the EU and its Member States have the particular responsibility to ensure full respect for the international human rights and humanitarian law by neighbouring partner countries.”

She continued: “I welcome the agreement on key points such as the High Representative and the EU Member States actively monitoring the implementation of recommendations included in the Goldstone Report by means of consultation of EU external missions and NGOs.

“I and my Green Party colleagues will continue to oppose the illegal occupation of Palestine and will fight to ensure that international law is upheld – including holding Palestinians to account for indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel. Only then can we achieve peace and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors