By Palestine Chronicle Staff

European Union (EU) Parliament adopted on Thursday a resolution on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The resolution, however was altered from its original script. 

Gaza. EU Parliament condemns killing of protesters, supports independent investigations, calls for lifting of blockade, deplores state of health sector. Also ignores refugees' rights, occupation & slams Hamas & "terrorism". https://t.co/mLb3fVS5Ws

— Neil Sammonds (@neilsai) April 20, 2018

The original text recognized Israel’s right to “protect its borders and defend its legitimate security interest”. It also underlined its disproportional use of force. Moreover, it calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israeli violence at the Gaza border. 

L’UE réclame une « enquête indépendante sur les morts à Gaza » La représentante de la diplomatie européenne Federica Mogherini a appelé samedi à une « enquête indépendante » sur l’usage de munitions réelles par l’armée israélienne à Gaza au cours… https://t.co/SfgQZ0TeR9 pic.twitter.com/kJDxIiuB9i

— cekici zeynel (@AlterInfo) April 11, 2018

Following a campaign launched by the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the motion was significantly altered, according to Israeli media.

Other provisions were added; for the first time, EU openly condemned Hamas for using civilians as human shields and called for the release of Israeli soldiers allegedly held in Gaza.

#EU condemns #Hamas for using civilians as human shields https://t.co/QkxIaOTXgJ pic.twitter.com/yfwraWwifE

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) April 20, 2018

However, the resolution also affirmed the Palestinians’ right to peaceful protests and called for “an immediate and unconditional end of the blockade and closure of the Gaza Strip”.

(PC, Social Media)