Dublin MEP to make second trip to Gaza (30th Sept 2009)
September 30, 2009 at 12:18 pm Leave a comment
Irish MEP Proinsias de Rossa is to head a delegation to the West Bank and Gaza before Christmas to assess the political, economic and humanitarian situation. It’s the second time this year that Mr de Rossa has travelled to the troubled region, but this time he goes in his new capacity as President of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the Palestine Legislative Council.
‘In January I witnessed the unlawful siege of Gaza that is still continuing today, causing huge suffering and preventing reconstruction and essential food and medicines from coming through,’ said the Dublin MEP.
‘The EU is playing an important humanitarian role in helping to redevelop infrastructure in Gaza, but in my new position I hope to use the EU’s political powers, in tandem with the US administration, to encourage Israel and the Palestinian Authority to engage in serious negotiations towards creating a Palestinian state and establishing security for Israel.’
Mr de Rossa will also be involved – on behalf of the European Parliament – in encouraging Arab states to make up the $400 million shortfall in funding needed by the Palestinian authority this year to provide essential services.
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