EU council denied entry to Gaza
2009-12-09 20:14
Jerusalem -The European parliament demanded on Wednesday that Israel explain why it prevented a delegation of MEPs from travelling to the Gaza Strip despite initially authorising the visit.
"Israel had yesterday afternoon granted final permission for all members of our delegation to travel. However, some three hours later entry for all members of the delegation was rescinded 'on security grounds', without further explanation," it said in a statement.
"We insist on a full explanation of the security risks claimed by Israel," it said.
"It is extremely curious that the cancellation came within a few hours of the announcement of the EU Council statement re-affirming Europe's strong position in favour of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders and an end to settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem."
EU nations agreed on Tuesday that Jerusalem should be the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state.
The eight-strong parliamentary delegation represents members from various political parties from Britain, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany and Greece.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Yigal Palmor told AFP that Israel bars foreign dignitaries from the Gaza Strip.
"Any entry of foreign dignitaries into the Gaza Strip will be manipulated by this terror organisation (Hamas) in order to achieve respectability and continue its terror policy against Palestinians and Israelis alike."
In Gaza, Hamas deputy parliament speaker Ahmed Bahar said the decision was related to the EU Council statement, calling it a "desperate attempt to halt the rising international sympathy with our people's just cause".