ILO Governing Body, 350th session - Report on crisis-related ILO work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - EU Statement

ILO Governing Body, 350th session

Report on crisis-related ILO work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

13 March 2024

EU statement

 

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Republic of Moldova, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland, align themselves with this statement.

1. We thank the Office for the report on crisis-related ILO work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
2. The EU and its Member States deplore all loss of civilian lives in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory and express their deepest condolences for all UN staff members killed in Gaza since October 7. The EU strongly supports the efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to agree the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire, to ensure a sustained end to hostilities. We call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any precondition.
3. We reiterate our gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and call for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures. We are very concerned about the humanitarian consequences, which must be avoided, of a possible ground operation in Rafah, where well over a million Palestinians are currently sheltering from the fighting.
4. The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks by Hamas across Israel on October 7th, which included sexual and gender-based violence. The use of civilians as human shields by Hamas is a particularly deplorable atrocity. Israel has the right to defend itself, it must do so in line with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law.
5. The EU will continue to follow the situation in Gaza closely and call for respect of human rights, underlining the obligation to ensure the protection of all civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law. There must be full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law, by all sides. We note that there must be accountability for violations of international law on all sides.
6. The EU notes the 26 January 2024 order of the International Court of Justice is legally binding on the Parties and must be complied with.
7. We stand ready to contribute to reviving a political process towards a negotiated two-state solution.
8. With regard to the ILO three-phase emergency response programme, which was developed to alleviate the impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on Palestinian workers and employers, we support its continued implementation in cooperation with other UN entities and international organisations. Aid needs to reach those in need in a safe manner and through all necessary means. The EU has already quadrupled its humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and continues to provide support to the Palestinian Authority, including through the EU-PEGASE programme with a view to contributing to the fulfilment of social rights.
9. Chair, we welcome efforts to reach consensus and in that light we can support the decision.

Thank you, Chair.

*[North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process].