Israel denies EU delegation entry to Gaza
Published today (updated) 25/10/2013 15:32
By Charlie Hoyle
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=641044

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Israeli government on Wednesday denied an official
European Union delegation entry to the Gaza Strip, claiming the visit would
strengthen the ruling Hamas movement.

Six members of an EU Parliament delegation to the Palestinian Legislative
Council were due to visit Gaza from Oct. 27-30 in a trip largely focused on
social, economic and humanitarian issues, including visits to UNRWA health
centers, schools, food distribution centers, rehabilitation centers and
sports clubs.

The MEPs, from a cross-section of political parties representing six EU
member states, were informed in an email by Israeli authorities that they
would not be allowed into Gaza via the Erez crossing for the three-day
visit, which also included trips to Christian schools, a sports clubs and
the University of Palestine.

Emer Costello, chair of the European Parliament's delegation to the
Palestinian Legislative Council, said she was "astounded and dismayed" by
Israel's decision to refuse an official EU visit.

"Despite interventions by the President of Parliament and other
distinguished Parliamentarians, the Israeli Authorities are preventing
elected members of an official delegation from paying a humanitarian visit
to this ravaged and impoverished little country," Costello said in a
statement.

In an email to the delegation obtained by Ma'an, an Israeli diplomat in
Europe responded that the delegation was denied "in line with the policy
according to which Israel does not facilitate visits to the Gaza Strip which
will strengthen Hamas, a terror organization designated as such also by the
European Union."

The diplomat, David Saranga, also claimed in the message that Israel did not
refuse an official visit of the EU delegation to Gaza but rather "refused
the use of its territory to enter the Gaza Strip."

Costello said Israel's decision was "deplorable and without foundation,"
adding that she had requested that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton
take up the issue with Israeli authorities.

The individual members of the delegation will also raise the issue with the
governments of their respective member states, she added.

'Punishment for EU guidelines'

Margrete Auken, a Danish MEP who was scheduled to take part in the trip,
told Ma'an that the visit had originally been planned for last November but
was canceled due to Israel's war on Gaza.

It was therefore "crucial for us to make it (this year) as Gaza is extremely
isolated under the siege," Auken said, adding that she believes Israel
denied the MEPs entry to Gaza in order to punish the EU for guidelines
implemented earlier this year banning member states from funding projects in
settlements.

"I think the reason the Israeli government is doing this is to punish the EU
for the guidelines on settlements. ... they want to get rid of them, but
that of course will never happen," she said.

Other MEPs have expressed similar sentiments in private, according to a
European Parliament official.

Auken said that the MEPs were "furious" about the decision to cancel the
visit.

"Israel is responsible for taking care of the people of Gaza and does not
live up to the burden of democracy," she added.

The six MEPs are planning to meet with UNRWA officials on Sunday either in
the West Bank or East Jerusalem in the event that Israel continues to refuse
them access to Gaza.

Fatah's international relations committee released a statement condemning
the incident and called on Israel to respect international law.

The EU guidelines forbid dealing with or funding Israeli entities that lie
outside Israel proper and beyond the so-called 1967 Green Line -- that is,
in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights.

They also require any future signed agreements to recognize that these areas
are not part of Israel.