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Deteriorating situation in Gaza following the non-extension of the ceasefire (debate)
So many innocent civilians have been murdered, women and men raped, bodies mutilated and children taken hostage. And yet, almost two years later, this Parliament still fails to state the obvious: Israel has the right to defend itself! What were Israel's options? Do nothing? Accept any demand made by the terrorists while the hostages were still being held? No country in the world would tolerate this! The EU did not negotiate with ISIS, nor did the US negotiate with al-Qaeda! Just as the EU sees peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine as dangerous and invalid without security guarantees for Ukraine, it should analyse the situation between Israel and Gaza in the same manner, as long as the hostages are not released. If not, let us admit that we are applying double standards in the EU institutions. If we truly want peace, we should start by standing with those fighting against terrorism, not by legitimising those who practice it – including here, in Europe, in Brussels, Strasbourg, Paris and many other places. Which of our children will be the terrorists’ next victim?