Middle East: call for an immediate end to hostilities

The European Parliament calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. In a resolution adopted today MEPs called for the immediate de-escalation of the conflict through a ceasefire agreement between both sides and an immediate end to all acts of violence that threaten civilian lives.

Cristian Preda MEP, the new EPP Group spokesperson in the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, outlined the EPP Group priorities: "The way out of this crisis is, of course, not violence. We support all diplomatic efforts to achieve a de-escalation of the conflict through a ceasefire. We are all united by a common goal of ensuring peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. The objective that we all share is to reach a negotiated settlement of the Middle East conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. For this, we need credible efforts from both sides, with enhanced support from the European Union, leading to the resumption of negotiations for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East."