Brussels, January 19 – The European Jewish Congress strongly welcomes the groundbreaking decision of the European Parliament to condition any ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages brutally abducted by the terror organisation on October 7 last year. The resolution also conditions the end of hostilities with the full dismantlement of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The resolution passed in the plenary session of the Parliament meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday with a resounding majority of 312 to 131 with wide cross party support.
EJC President Dr Ariel Muzicant called the vote “a resounding acceptance and understanding of the only cause of the current conflict, which emanates from the brutal murders and abductions committed by Hamas on Israel on October 7.”
“The dismantlement of Hamas is an obvious sine qua non to a future of peace and security for all peoples in the region,” he added.
“This is a strong and resolute statement by the Parliament representing Europe’s democracies. It further asserts strong condemnation of those countries arming, financing and providing political support to terror and clearly recognises the inalienable right of Israel to defend its territory and its citizens.”