The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament expressed their satisfaction at the agreement reached today between Fatah and Hamas, which would allow the unity government run by President Mahmoud Abbas to take control of the Gaza Strip, and voiced the hope that this could facilitate renewed negotiations with Israel.
Commenting on the positive progress announced today, S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said:
"This positive development could marginalise the extremists and open the way for the peace process between Israel and Palestine.
"We must ensure that the peace process is not taken hostage by extremist attitudes and today’s agreement giving Fatah control of the Gaza Strip is a very helpful step in the right direction.
"For the S&D Group there is no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without lifting the blockade on Gaza, which is currently an open-air prison for 1.7 million people.
"The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has to be respected and getting full access for humanitarian aid to Gaza must be an immediate priority.
"The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament continue to support President Abbas' policy of peaceful resistance and national unity."
