Madrid – Together with other European leftist groups, Podemos, La Francia Insumisa, and the Portuguese Bloco have initiated a continent-wide petition urging the European Union (EU) to terminate its association agreement with Israel.
This initiative is spearheaded by the European Left Alliance (ELA), a newly formed coalition that includes several alternative left-wing parties, such as Podemos along with its French and Portuguese counterparts.
They are advocating for a European Citizens’ Initiative, akin to Spain’s Popular Legislative Initiative, which necessitates gathering at least one million signatures from EU citizens to formally request a legislative proposal from the European Commission, which must then respond with either acceptance or rejection.
The signature collection effort aims to encompass eight European nations: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, and Finland.
In Spain, 43,290 signatures are needed, which will be gathered both physically and online over a twelve-month period.
The groups introduced this Citizens’ Initiative at an event attended by Podemos Member of the European Parliament and former Minister of Equality Irene Montero.
“We are launching this European Citizens’ Initiative to demand that Europe cease trade with genocidal regimes by ending the trade agreement with Israel, calling for the complete severance of relations — including military and diplomatic ties — along with a total arms embargo,” she stated.
Additionally, she emphasized that no representative of Israel should be present on European soil and that the “illegal occupation of Palestine” must also come to an end.
“We will make it clear that (the genocide) was not executed in our name or with our silence. We urge the peoples of Europe to take action against genocide by signing this initiative,” concluded Montero. (January 13)
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