Aid agencies call on EU to halt closer ties with Israel

AGENCY COALITION: MORE THAN a dozen European humanitarian and development organisations - including Trócaire and Christian Aid…

AGENCY COALITION:MORE THAN a dozen European humanitarian and development organisations - including Trócaire and Christian Aid Ireland - have called for the EU to suspend the process of upgrading its relations with Israel until it agrees to a comprehensive ceasefire and allows unimpeded access to Gaza for humanitarian personnel.

Amnesty International yesterday echoed the call.

The demand follows Israel's rejection of European calls for an immediate ceasefire during a visit of EU foreign ministers and senior officials to the region earlier this week.

"Israel has shunned diplomatic efforts by the EU and the delegation has returned empty-handed. The EU's credibility is now at stake," Daleep Mukarji, director of Christian Aid UK and Ireland, said.

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"It is inconceivable that we should extend further benefits of European partnership to a government that violates international humanitarian law and refuses negotiation in favour of continued violence. It is time for robust EU action to bring about an immediate ceasefire and end the violence on all sides."

The coalition of agencies from more than 10 European countries warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza, already serious as a result of Israel's economic blockade, has been pushed to crisis point by the current violence.

"The EU agrees that an immediate ceasefire and an opening of Gaza crossings is our only hope for alleviating the desperate situation in Gaza and providing security for people on both sides.

"The EU must now apply real pressure to convince Israeli and Hamas leaders to accept this and redouble its efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the region," said Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam.

Amnesty International called on the Irish Government to summon the Israeli ambassador to stress Irish opposition to indiscriminate attacks by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

Its statement said: "Israel's policy of collective punishment is a clear and explicit violation of international law. The refusal to allow humanitarian aid or observers into Gaza is a simple violation of basic notions of humanity."