In response to the ongoing and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UEL group has consistently voiced its strong opposition to the Israeli military’s assault on Gaza’s civilian population. The UEL has underscored the urgent need to bring an end to this brutal war, which has disproportionately affected thousands of innocent civilians, particularly women and children. “Sixty-six percent of Gaza has been destroyed, 95% of schools have been razed to the ground, and just a month ago the last major operational hospital was burned to the ground,” said Ms Anne Stambach-Terrenoir, spokesperson for the UEL group during the debate of the report on “The absolute and urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza,” by
Speaking on behalf of the UEL group, Ms Stambach-Terrenoir condemned Israel’s violations of international law, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and highlighted the dire situation of Gaza’s children, many of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition, mental health issues, and a lack of medical care.
On Tuesday, 28 January, the UEL group supported the adoption of the PACE resolution, which came shortly after the fragile ceasefire was implemented and which insisted that all efforts must be made to support the people of Gaza. “This must be done not only through immediate humanitarian aid and the restoration of essential services but also through international support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel,” said Ms Anne Stambach-Terrenoir. “We must stand with the people of Gaza, ensuring their future is defined not by continued violence, but by hope, stability, and lasting peace.”
This call from the Parliamentary Assembly comes after months of intense conflict, with over 47,000 people killed and more than 100,000 wounded in Gaza, including thousands of children. PACE members have stressed that Israel’s military campaign has violated international law, causing immense suffering and devastation for Gaza’s population.
“Following repeated calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and efforts by the UEL group to keep the war in Gaza high on the international agenda, it’s a major victory for the Parliamentary Assembly to adopt this resolution on “The absolute and urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza,” which for the first time calls for an unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities,” said Mr Andrej Hunko, co-chair of the UEL group.
This resolution also builds upon past efforts, including the landmark 2012 decision under the leadership of former rapporteur Mr Tiny Kox, former PACE President and UEL Chair, which saw the Palestinian National Council admitted as a partner for democracy to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This move was a significant step in fostering dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Palestine.
Mr Sabella, the head of the Palestinian delegation to PACE, praised the adoption of the resolution on Gaza, calling it “groundbreaking” for the Palestinian people. The resolution emphasizes the urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis, particularly the suffering of women, children, and the return of hostages on both sides.
PACE’s resolution stresses the importance of supporting Gaza’s reconstruction and ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the region without obstruction. The Parliamentary Assembly also calls for full, rapid, and safe access for international organizations, including the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), urging Israel to immediately and unconditionally lift the ban on UNRWA to allow it to continue providing essential aid to Gaza’s population.
Finally, the Parliamentary Assembly urged member states to apply pressure on both Israel and Palestine to uphold their commitments to international law and ensure the fundamental rights of all civilians are respected. The UEL remains steadfast in its commitment to human rights and calls on the Council of Europe to strengthen its role as a guardian of democratic values in Europe and beyond. The UEL group also urges member states to halt all arms sales to Israel, a crucial step toward achieving a permanent ceasefire and a lasting peace in the region.