European Parliament’s Left group condemns Israeli attacks on Lebanon

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – European Parliament’s Left group on Tuesday condemned the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Noting that the attacks on Monday disregarded Lebanon’s sovereignty, human rights and international law with bombs hitting civilians, residential areas, medical personnel and ambulances, the group, said: “Israel’s far-right government is plunging the entire region into misery and chaos, with the complicity – and in some cases support – of its western allies.”

Calling for the suspension of the EU’s trade and association agreement with Israel and an immediate and unconditional arms embargo on Israel, the group added: “How many lives must be lost for the international community to act? Europe cannot be complicit in this massacre. The EU must act now."

Also commenting, European lawmaker Kostas Arvanitis of the Greece’s left-wing Syriza party said: “Alongside its irresponsible stance on Ukraine, the leadership of Europe continues its hypocritical silence on the war crimes of the far-right Israeli government of Netanyahu.”

Similarly, Irene Montero of the Spain’s left-wing Podemos party, remarked: “The dignity of humanity depends on our ability to stop these genocidal criminals, despite the shameless support they receive from our elites in Europe.”

Asserting that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza, Marc Botenga of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB) added: “Civilians are not a target. The EU can no longer remain silent; we must stop this horror now.”

The Israeli army has launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since early Monday, killing over 560 victims, including 95 women and 50 children, and injuring 1,835, according to Health Minister Firas Abiad.

"The majority of the victims in the Israeli attacks are defenseless civilians in their homes. This refutes the enemy's allegations of targeting fighters," he said.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 41,400 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.

The international community has warned against the strikes on Lebanon, as they raise the specter of spreading the Gaza conflict regionally.

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