ISRAEL has responded to pressure from the EU to ease the restrictions on the movement of people and food from the Palestine territory of Gaza, the European Parliament was informed in Strasbourg yesterday. The restrictions were imposed as a reprisal after recent terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The Italian Foreign Minister, Ms Susanna Agnelli, who is currently President of the Council of Ministers, told the parliament that in response to the appeal from the EU ministers meeting in Palermo at the weekend, "the Israeli authorities informed the presidency of the decision to authorise the daily transit of food from Israel and Gaza, and to allow the passage of people from Gaza to Israel, for humanitarian reasons".
She described the response as a "first positive result" and "encouraging for the action of the European Union in support of lasting peace in the area".
The parliament was debating terrorist attacks and the Middle East peace process. The various parliamentary groups agreed on a common resolution condemning Hamas and "other extremist groups", seen as a reference to some Jewish fundamentalists.
The resolution also condemns the government of Iran "for its political and practical support for the terrorists" and calls on the EU and the 15 member states "to put pressure on Iran to end all collaboration with and aid to terrorists".
Regret is also expressed that, so far, the Syrian government "refuses to condemn these terrorist acts". Jordan is congratulated for its "firm attitude" towards the terrorists.
The draft resolution had also "deplored" the fact that the Israeli closing of frontiers had brought about "the deterioration of the social and economic situation in the Palestinian territories and asked for humanitarian aid to be restored. This was drafted before Ms Agnelli announced the Israeli action in easing the restrictions.
The Italian minister said the Sharm el Sheikh summit today will have to "provide the occasion for the international community to renew its condemnation of terrorism. The EU position at the summit will be such an absolute condemnation of terrorism under all its forms and will solicit the adoption of the most appropriate measures to prevent terrorist organisations from pursuing their criminal activities.
Several speakers in the debate referred to IRA actions when condemning terrorism.
There was also support for the decision to send an EU troika mission to Iran and Libya to urge an end to all support for terrorist organisations. Ireland will be represented on this mission, possibly by the Minister of State, Mr Gay Mitchell, who arrived in Strasbourg last night to attend today's debate on the forthcoming Inter Governmental Conference.