In a letter signed by their names, European parliamentarians called on members of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) to appoint a new head of the Knesset delegation for relations with the European Parliament, unless MK Ariel Kalner apologizes for his call for “a catastrophe that will overshadow the catastrophe of 1948” and deletes his vile tweets, according to the letter’s description. .
The letter addressed to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, stated that the members of the European Parliament who signed the letter express their deep concern and condemnation of the vile statements made by Knesset member Ariel Kalner, head of the Knesset delegation for relations with the European Parliament, stressing that they do not undermine the efforts of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Not only peace and dialogue, but it also perpetuates violence and exacerbates an already deteriorating situation.
Elected representatives
The European parliamentarians considered it their duty, as elected representatives of the European Union, to uphold the principles of peace, human rights and international law, and they therefore express their sadness at MK Kalner making statements that further escalate tensions and hinder the prospects of reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The message recalled that MK Kalner tweeted, “Right now, there is one goal, which is the Nakba. A Nakba that will overtake the Nakba of 1948. A Nakba in Gaza and a Nakba for all who dare to join it,” and to date his tweet has not been deleted yet.
In addition to his writing, Kalner participated in the “Israel Victory Conference – Settlements Bring Security: The Return to the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria.” That conference called – according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz – for the restoration of settlement in the Gaza Strip and the displacement of the Palestinian population living there.
No acknowledgment of any changes
The parliamentarians reminded the Knesset member of the European Union’s consistent position that all settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal under international law, and that the European Union will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including Jerusalem, except those agreed upon by the two parties.
“We remind MK Kalner and all Israeli officials of their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians in armed conflicts,” the letter said. “We also remind Kalner that the indiscriminate use of force and targeting of civilian infrastructure in Gaza constitutes a clear violation of these legal obligations, and that any attempts to justify such “These actions or their condoning are unacceptable.”
Demonization of Palestinians
The parliamentarians’ message added that Kalner’s statements work to perpetuate the narrative of dehumanizing and demonizing the Palestinian people, calling on all parties concerned to refrain from using language that incites violence, and to work – instead – to build bridges and promote understanding.
“Therefore,” the letter says, “we ask the Knesset leadership to appoint a new head of the Knesset delegation for relations with the European Parliament, unless Kalner apologizes for these statements and deletes his vile tweets.”
The majority of parliamentarians who signed the letter belong to left-wing parties, such as the Greens and Social Democrats, in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands and Italy.