B3-1056, 1090 and 1105/93

Resolution on the situation in the occupied territories and the recent terrorist attack by Palestinian extremists

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the fresh upsurge in acts of terrorism by extremists in the occupied territories and in Israel,

B.noting the worsening of the violence and tension in the occupied territories while the peace talks remain blocked,

C.concerned at the deterioration of the economy of the occupied territories since they were cordoned off on 30 March 1993, a situation which has been exacerbated by the consequent impossibility of exporting goods,

D.aware that the obvious lack of progress in the peace negotiations and an atmosphere of growing tension provide the breeding-ground for all kinds of extremism and fundamentalism to spread at the expense of co-existence and a fair and peaceful solution,

1.Condemns terrorist attacks such as a recent aborted bus hijacking in Jerusalem which caused several deaths amongst the civilian population;

2.Notes that the perpetrators of the Jerusalem bus hijacking have reportedly been identified as belonging to HAMAS and condemns this organization and all others, on both sides, that seek to subvert the peace process through terrorist and extremist action;

3.Reiterates that the best means of fighting terrorism is dialogue and re-states its conviction that terrorism cannot be countered by measures which indiscriminately hurt the guilty and innocent alike;

4.Takes note of the recent report by Amnesty International on the situation in the occupied territories and is seriously concerned by the atmosphere of persistent tension and permanent danger prevailing in the region;

5.Welcomes the Commission's decision of 8 July 1993 to grant emergency food aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip;

6.Calls on the Commission to render UNRWA and the local organizations in the occupied territories every possible assistance with the development of social and economic infrastructure in the occupied territories;

7.Calls on the Israeli Government immediately to revise its hard line in the occupied territories;

8.Reasserts the need for the peace negotiations to be continued and for the PLO to be recognized;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Israeli Government, the PLO and UNRWA.