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Madrid – Podemos, La Francia Insumisa and the Portuguese Bloco have launched, together with other European left-wing groups, a community-wide petition to demand that the European Union (EU) break the association agreement with Israel
According to the ‘purple’ party, this initiative comes from the European Left Alliance (ELA), a new Europe-wide formation that brings together several alternative left-wing groups, among which are Podemos together with its French and Portuguese allies.
Specifically, they are launching the collection of support for a European Citizens’ Initiative, similar to the Spanish Popular Legislative Initiative, which requires a minimum of one million signatures from European citizens to formally request a legislative proposal from the European Commission, which must respond whether it accepts or rejects it.
The collection of signatures is expected to reach eight European countries: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Finland.
In the case of Spain, 43,290 signatures are required, which will be collected physically or online over twelve months.
The groups have presented this Citizens’ Initiative at an event that featured the participation of the Podemos MEP and former Minister of Equality Irene Montero.
“We are launching this European Citizens’ Initiative to demand that Europe stop trading with genocidal regimes by breaking the trade agreement with Israel, to demand the total severing of relations — including military and diplomatic — and a total arms embargo,” she added.
Moreover, she added that there should not be a single representative of Israel on European soil and that the “illegal occupation of Palestine” must also end.
“We will say that (the genocide) was not carried out in our name and with our silence. We ask the peoples of Europe to act against genocide with their signature on this initiative,” concluded Montero. (January 13)