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EU parliament delegation expresses shock over conditions in Gaza

Politics 12/7/2010 8:48:00 PM

BRUSSELS, Dec 7 (KUNA) -- A delegation from the European Parliament which recently visited the Palestinian territories has expressed its shock over ongoing deprivations suffered by the people in Gaza.

750,000 people continue to need food aid from UNRWA; 300,000 of them are in abject poverty. Schools are still denied building material, the 8-member EP delegation said in a statement here Tuesday.

The EU parliamentarians said that in order for the living conditions of people in Gaza to improve, the Israeli siege must be lifted, and normal economic and business activities must be allowed to start again, with no restrictions on exports and imports.

The EP delegation held meetings with the elected representatives of all political parties in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in order to assess the living conditions in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as to discuss the issue of reconciliation during its visit from 27 November to 1 December. In Nablus, the major security problem is the violent activity of the Jewish settlers, over which the Palestinian Services have no authority. The Israeli army, however, do have authority, but do not take action against the perpetrators of crimes: hit-and-run killings or destruction of 3,700 olive trees, noted the statement.

"The violent activity of the settlers in East Jerusalem with the support of the Israeli authorities continues, as well as illegal settlements, eviction of Palestinian families, demolition of houses and intimidation of children," it said.

In the course of meetings with the PLC counterparts, the issue of the 8,000 political Palestinian prisoners was raised, including some members of the PLC. Three Jerusalem PLC members, who have recently been released, have been ordered to leave East Jerusalem. They refused to do so and have taken refuge in the office of the International Red Cross.

The delegation was led by Irish MEP Proinsias de Rossa, chair of the EP Delegation for relations with the PLC. (end) nk.mt KUNA 072048 Dec 10NNNN

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