The Parliament of Europe “demanded” Wednesday “that Israel stop expelling Palestinian civilians and halt all reprisal action” in connection with disturbances in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The 520-member assembly, which is the legislative body of the 12-nation European Community, declared itself “shocked and alarmed by reprisal action carried out by the Israeli army.” It warned that by maintaining a military regime in the territories, the Israeli government is creating a situation of revolt.
The resolution was prompted by Israel’s expulsion on Jan. 13 of four Palestinian activists from the West Bank and deportation orders still pending against five other Palestinians.
“Reprisal action” apparently referred to the curfew and blockade imposed on refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, whose residents have had their water supplies and food shipments cut off, as well as their electricity and telephone services.
The vote, by a show of hands, supported a joint resolution introduced by the Christian Democrats, Socialist and Communist parties and the ecological movement. Only the Liberals, headed by Simone Veil of France, a former president of the European Parliament, refused to endorse the resolution.
It was announced, meanwhile, that the Parliament will vote Feb. 6 on ratification of four new economic and financial protocols signed by Israel and the 12 European Community nations. The vote, which had been scheduled for Jan. 18, was postponed at the urging of Israeli diplomats, who feared measures in the administered territories would adversely affect the outcome.
Failure to ratify the agreements would be a severe blow to Israel’s prestige in Western Europe. But deputies here warned Thursday that unless the situation in the territories improves and Israel “shows some good will,” the protocols will not be ratified next month.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
