THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
By Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP
The European Parliament held a memorial service on Thursday to express its solidarity with the recent victims in Israel. In her speech, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said:
We are here with the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and all of you – as one – to express our solidarity, to condemn the appalling acts of terror and murder and to demand the immediate release of hostages.
MEPs, as well as all staff, observed a minute’s silence in the forecourt of the European Parliament.
Nothing can justify violent attacks on innocent people. Our solidarity is with the victims of this brutal and horrific operation.
Hamas does not represent all Palestinians who want to live in peace. Israel’s bloody retaliation does not bode well for peace either. All children, vulnerable people and innocent people must be protected from the war.
The horrific images of civilians being tortured, abducted and killed show that we are far from a peaceful solution.
All democratic countries must unite in the fight against terrorism. All hostages must be released.
Diplomatic efforts are needed now, because beyond the pain and suffering, it should be possible to end the bloodshed, the spiral of violence, to start peace negotiations.
The United Nations has called on Israel to allow the supply of food, water and fuel to the blockaded population.
One can only hope that there will soon be an end to the hostilities and a ceasefire so that the population can be provided with humanitarian aid and calm can return to the region.
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Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana is a member of the European Parliament where she holds the following positions:
- 1st Vice-President of the Committee on Development (DEVE)
- Co-President of the EP „Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI)
- Vice-President of the Delegation tot he ACP-EU and to the Pan-African Parliament
- Member of the Committee On Women Rights and Gender Equality (Femm)
- Substitute Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
