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Vienna – In response to the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Austrian Social Democrats are calling for decisive foreign policy action from both Austria and the European Union. Pia Maria Wieninger, the SPÖ’s human rights spokesperson in the National Council, and Christoph Matznette, spokesperson for the SPÖ Federal Council Group, highlighted the international duty to act.
They stressed that looking away from violations of basic humanitarian standards is unacceptable. The SPÖ unequivocally condemns the Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli civilians. However,they also emphasized that Palestinian civilians shoudl not suffer for Hamas’s crimes.
Inadequate Aid and Shocking Reports
Matznette pointed out that the supply of water, food, and medical assistance in Gaza is critically insufficient. Wieninger described the reports of attacks on civilians and humanitarian aid workers as shocking.
Both officials reiterated the urgent need for the complete resumption of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. They also demanded the immediate release of all hostages still held by Hamas.
Support for EU’s Joint Statement
The SPÖ