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Resolution 1748 (2010) Final version
Flare-up of tension in the Middle East
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers
to its Order 549 (1999) and
Resolutions 1183 (1999), 1245 (2001), 1281 and 1294 (2002), 1420 and 1452 (2005), 1493 and 1520 (2006) and 1550 (2007) and
reaffirms, in particular, its Resolution 1700 (2010) on the situation in
the Middle East, adopted in January 2010.
2. The Assembly is deeply concerned at the serious flare-up of
tension in the Middle East and the setback in the peace process
caused by the Israeli military attack on a humanitarian flotilla
to Gaza on 31 May 2010 which led to the death of nine activists
of Turkish nationality.
3. The Assembly extends its condolences to the families and friends
of the victims of this attack and expresses its solidarity with
the injured.
4. It considers the Israeli raid, which took place in international
waters, an illegal act constituting a breach of international law,
in particular customary law of the sea and international human rights
and humanitarian law. The Assembly regards the response of the Israeli
forces to the plan by the flotilla of six ships to break the blockade
in place as manifestly disproportionate. It shares, in this respect,
the positions of condemnation taken by the United Nations, the Quartet,
the European Union and the majority of the international community
and deplores that the Israeli authorities have not, so far, accepted
the request for an international enquiry committee. The Assembly
believes that Israel should co-operate with the international community
which has called for a prompt, international, impartial and transparent
enquiry.
5. The Assembly reaffirms that both the use of force and the
right to self defence must never violate international law.
6. The Assembly reaffirms that terrorism is the foe of peace
and that it is everyone’s responsibility to fight terrorism in all
its forms.
7. It underlines that the living conditions of the people of
Gaza have become increasingly harsh as a result of the blockade
imposed on them and considers the announcement by the Israeli Government
of a partial easing of the blockade to be a first step. It considers,
however, that the blockade, which is illegal under international
humanitarian law, should be lifted and that the approaches to Gaza
should be free, while at the same time ensuring the security of
Israel. It calls therefore for the strengthening of measures to
prevent the introduction of weapons and illicit material into Gaza
and for an increased controlling role, by land and by sea, for the
European Union civil mission already in place.
8. The Assembly once again underlines that the conflict in the
Middle East above all concerns two equally legitimate aspirations
– Israel’s right to be recognised and to exist in peace and safety
and the Palestinians’ right to have an independent, viable and contiguous
state – and that a stable peace cannot be achieved unless the aspirations
and rights of both peoples are fulfilled.
9. It reiterates the urgent need to resume the dialogue and negotiations
between Israelis and Palestinians as the only way to achieve a lasting
and shared peace, with an independent and sovereign Palestinian
State alongside a secure and recognised State of Israel. It expresses
its full support for the “proximity talks” and urges the parties
to co-operate fully for a positive outcome.
10. The Assembly appreciates the intensive efforts made by President
Obama and his Special Envoy for the Middle East, George Mitchell,
as well as those made by the Quartet and its Middle East Envoy Tony
Blair, and notes that this crisis commands the United Nations and
the European Union to increase their commitment. It welcomes declarations
by the Arab League on its continuing commitment to a negotiated
peace based on the Arab peace plan. The Assembly hopes that, despite
the recent crisis, Turkey will continue to play a positive role
in favour of stability in the region.
11. The Assembly therefore urges the Government of Israel to:
11.1. determine rapidly and unequivocally
individual and collective responsibilities for acts relating to the
attack against the flotilla to Gaza;
11.2. return personal goods confiscated from those on the ships
of the flotilla to the rightful owners;
11.3. co-operate with the international community to ensure
a prompt, international, impartial and transparent enquiry;
11.4. ensure that the Enquiry Commission it has appointed carries
out a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent enquiry according
to international criteria, and that its members enjoy full independence
and freedom of action;
11.5. lift the blockade of Gaza, ensuring access by land and
by sea, both by allowing the orderly delivery of all goods necessary
to ensure normal living conditions of the population and the development of
economic and social activities without prejudice to its own security,
and by permitting exports which will promote economic and commercial
activity in the territory;
11.6. stop the building of new settlements and the extension
of the existing ones in the occupied territories, including in East
Jerusalem, and remove what are referred to as “illegal outposts”;
11.7. pursue the reduction of checkpoints into the West Bank;
11.8. ensure that the President of the Palestinian National
Authority Mahmoud Abbas and the Fayyad Government are in a position
to assume their responsibilities and exercise their powers;
11.9. release all Palestinian political prisoners.
12. The Assembly urges all Palestinian forces to recognise the
authority of President Mahmoud Abbas and support the peace process.
13. It calls on Hamas to:
13.1. recognise
the right of the State of Israel to exist, as well as endorse the
Arab peace plan;
13.2. stop the launching of rockets at Israeli targets and to
renounce explicitly all violent forms of struggle;
13.3. stop attacks against international NGOs in the Gaza strip;
13.4. allow the Red Cross to immediately visit the soldier Gilad
Shalit;
13.5. release soldier Gilad Shalit.
14. It urges Fatah and Hamas to resume negotiations for an agreement
consistent with the goal of a negotiated peace.
15. The Assembly welcomes the humanitarian activities of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East (UNRWA) and calls on all donor countries to ensure adequate
financial resources to respond to the needs of the population of
Gaza.
16. The Assembly reaffirms its commitment to promoting dialogue
between the parties, notably through the Tripartite Forum bringing
together the Assembly, the Knesset and the Palestinian Legislative
Council.
17. The Assembly further calls upon the European Union and the
member states of the Council of Europe to:
17.1. continue assisting economic development in the Palestinian
territories;
17.2. enhance the training of Palestinian police and foster
the improvement of Palestinian security structures;
17.3. contribute to measures to improve the living conditions
of the people of Gaza by, inter alia, monitoring
imports at border crossings.