European Parliament calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza

The European Parliament has, for the first time, called for a ‘permanent ceasefire’ in Gaza and for political efforts to be initiated to find a solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire request represents a significant change from the Parliament’s previous stance in October, where it called for a humanitarian ‘pause’ to accelerate aid flow to civilians in Gaza.

According to int’l media, the symbolic and non-legally binding decision was approved at the Strasbourg plenary session with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. While left-leaning and centrist groups in the Parliament openly supported the ceasefire call, members of the largest group, the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), expressed reservations.

The vote passed with 500 in favor, 21 against, and 24 abstentions.