Christian DOLESCHAL

Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2024

The Group of the European People’s Party (EPP) firmly believes that the atrocities committed by the terrorist organisation Hamas on 7 October 2023 must never be allowed to happen again. We stand united in our solidarity with Israel and its right to defend itself and its people. This right is enshrined in and constrained by international law. In order to relieve humanitarian suffering, we support diplomatic efforts to resume the ceasefire and restart the negotiations immediately. This must include the unconditional release of all hostages and the return of the remains of the hostages deceased. Further, the EPP Group unequivocally rejects terrorism and antisemitism in all its forms. Yet, the EPP Group has decided to vote against Amendments 145, 147, 154, 159, and 150 given the broader political dynamics at play. The amendments at hand were introduced last minute by a political group, which did not participate in the negotiations of the report. While the proposals may have merit in isolation, they do not offer substantive changes to the already adopted language of this report. Hence, we consider that a vote against these amendments will not weaken our political message, and at the same time maximise the chances to adopt the report as a whole.