EU parliament endorses Goldstone report despite furious lobbying by Jewish groups

Thursday, 11 March 2010 15:01

The European Parliament yesterday voted in favour of a resolution on the Goldstone Report which calls on EU member states and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Baroness Catherine Ashton, to "publicly demand the implementation of [the Goldstone report's] recommendations and accountability for all violations of international law, including alleged war crimes."

‘EU parliamentary deputies in recent days have been inundated by lobbying emails from the European Jewish Congress over the vote. A spokesperson for the group told this website [EU Observer] that it had been "definitely a really major effort by the EJC, but it's only a work in progress and there's still a lot of work to do."

‘On Tuesday afternoon, the level of lobbying had reached such an extent that Irish socialist MEP Proinsias de Rossa, the chair of the chamber's Palestinian Legislative Council liaison delegation, sent around his own email encouraging deputies not to buckle under the pressure.

‘"You are being bombarded with mails at present seeking to undermine your support for the Goldstone Report in the vote tomorrow," he said.

‘"Tomorrow's vote is a test of the credibility of this parliament's commitment to human rights irrespective of political considerations," he continued. "The joint resolution is a fair and balanced position negotiated by all the main political groups. I appeal to you to support it."

‘The resolution backed by the centre and left of the house however "expresses its concern about pressure placed on NGOs involved in the preparation of the Goldstone report and in follow-up investigations, and calls on authorities on all sides to refrain from any measures restricting the activities of these organisations."

‘David Lundy, a spokesperson for the United Left grouping in the parliament, which has long championed the Palestinian cause, said he was surprised to see the parliament withstand the lobbying pressure.

‘"I think it was the Gaza bombing that did it, especially after the fact-finding missions [from the parliament]. After all that I think people found it just impossible not to denounce what had happened."’

The EP voted 335 in favour to 287 against.

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