The head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege has urged the European Union to decide on steps to end the siege imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip for the past three years. In a written statement, independent Palestinian MP Jamal Al-Khudary called upon the EU to “take practical steps and put pressure on Israel to end the siege”.
His comments came a few hours before the EU foreign ministers’ special meeting held in Luxembourg on 14 June to develop a joint proposal for lifting the siege on the densely populated territory.
The Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said earlier that the European Union Council of Ministers will try to forge a “strong, joint EU position” on Gaza with the aim of “lifting the blockade” in order to “ensure the entry” of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and people.
Mr. Al-Khudary also praised the position taken by the International Committee of the Red Cross on the siege of Gaza. In a statement issued on the same day as the EU ministers’ meeting, the ICRC said that the siege violates international law and the Geneva Conventions.Cross’s position on the siege of Gaza, which he considered to be constituting a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions.