Canary Islands Parliament Approves Proposal for Palestinian Family Support
The full session of the Canary Islands Parliament has approved a non-legislative proposal from NC-bc this Wednesday, with opposition from Vox, calling for Palestinian families to receive the same treatment as Ukrainian refugees.
Call for Equal Humanitarian Treatment
The proposal specifically seeks the provision of temporary protection, residence and work permits, access to healthcare, education, housing, humanitarian visas, and resettlement programmes, among other measures.
Furthermore, the Parliament requests an equitable distribution of responsibilities between EU member states. It calls for the facilitation of humanitarian visas, safe corridors, and priority resettlement programmes for particularly vulnerable Palestinian families, in coordination with UNRWA and other international agencies. It condemns serious violations of international law against the Palestinian population and demands compliance with provisional measures set by the International Court of Justice, while supporting accountability before the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Parliamentary Oversight and Collaboration
The proposal also outlines the need to strengthen cooperation with specialised organisations and to establish a parliamentary monitoring mechanism to ensure transparency and efficiency in the implementation of these measures. It expresses the willingness of the Canary Islands to activate the necessary resources and capacities to participate in the humanitarian reception of Palestinian orphans and families, in collaboration with the central government, local institutions, social organisations, and international bodies.
Voices from the Assembly
Natalia Santana (NC-bc) shared that her nine-year-old son urged her to “do something” upon witnessing the events in Gaza, describing it as a “humanitarian tragedy and an abhorrent genocide” that the international community observes indifferently, “held hostage by the immorality of its leaders.”
She called for the restoration of international law and framed this initiative as a means to “alleviate the immense suffering of those who have nothing left to lose but their lives,” suggesting measures similar to those that have been applied to Ukrainian refugees. “There is a legal framework for this; there are no excuses, so we will do it,” she stated, emphasising that the “genocide” in Gaza transcends any ideology.
Santana, visibly emotional, said, “We cannot save those who are no longer here, but we can decide today that we are not complicit.”
Jesus Ramos (ASG) expressed his group’s support for this initiative and condemned the “hypocrisy” of major world powers that send humanitarian aid while simultaneously supplying arms.
Vox’s Paula Jover accused NC-bc of attempting to “solve the wars of others” amidst the “internal conflicts” besetting her party. She criticised efforts to create a “good side and a bad side,” as has been done by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
While acknowledging the “tremendous” situation in Gaza, she asserted that politicians lack the tools to resolve it. “Don’t count on us,” she remarked.
Carlos Ester (PP) stated that what is essential is for “peace to prevail” in the region, calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. However, he cautioned NC-bc against “politicising this massacre.” “We must strengthen ties; it has to stop; everything must come to a halt,” he explained.
Cristina Calero (CC) reprimanded political leaders and organisations for debating whether the events in Gaza constituted “genocide” while citizens were bombarded “as they fled,” or how schools and hospitals were “erased from the map.”
“Let us call things by their name, and this slaughter can only be described as genocide. Today, all we have left is the freedom of speech. It is to name things as they are,” she stated.
Elena Mández (PSOE) affirmed that “there is no room for ambiguity” in this case, as a “televised genocide is witnessed every day,” be it through bombs or the hunger brought about by Israel. “We must do everything we can and more,” she highlighted.
The MP expressed pride that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has taken a stand “on the front lines” to highlight the genocide and recognise the state of Palestine, similar to Gran Canaria’s Cabildo, which has ruled out hosting the cycling event La Vuelta if an Israeli team participates.
