The EU has deplored the loss of lives in Gaza, joined calls for end of hostilities and expressed readiness to actively support negotiations between the two sides, Presidents of the European Commission Hose Manuel Barroso and President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy said in a joint statement.
“Gaza has been suffering from intolerable violence for more than three weeks already. We deplore the terrible loss of lives, including innocent women and children. Many have been injured, property and livelihoods have been destroyed. This needs to stop immediately,” the Presidents said.
“We strongly condemn continued rocket fire over Israel. It constitutes an unacceptable threat to its citizens. Israel has the right to live in peace in its recognised borders. Legitimate defence needs to maintain proportionality,” the statement said.
Barroso and Van Rompuy pointed out at “limits regarding what military operations can achieve. Only a negotiated solution, based on two States, living side by side and respectful of each other, will bring lasting peace.”
“The bloodshed needs to stop. Today we join our voice to those of the Secretary General of the United Nations and other international leaders that are calling on both sides to put an end to hostilities.
We are ready to support actively negotiations, confidence building measures, reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. No more lives should be wasted,” the statement said.
The two Presidents urged Palestinian and Israeli leaders “to exercise courage by putting an end to this senseless violence.”
“They also need to exercise courage and wisdom to move beyond these cycles of violence and advance towards arrangements that will ensure peaceful and dignified coexistence, based on mutual respect,” Barroso and Van Rompuy said.
