On the framework of the visit of a Joint Delegation of the EP to the Middle East, MEPs visit of UNRWA Housing project in Khan Younis, meet with the Board of the Bank of Palestine and Gaza.

statement

meeting

visit

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

EP delegation

JOLY, Eva (Greens/EFA, FR)

VAJGL, Ivo (ALDE, SI)

peace process in the Middle East (T)

Jerusalem

Gaza

DE KEYSER, Véronique (S&D, BE)

STRIFFLER, Michèle (EPP, FR)

Joint Delegation to the Middle East: visit of UNRWA Housing project in Khan Younis, meeting with the Board of the Bank of Palestine and statements by MEPs visiting Gaza

(Jerusalem, 26 of May) MEPs delegation at a field visit of Great Jerusalem, guided by Ir Amim, from Jerusalem Policy Forum

Fences and wall at East Jerusalem neighbourhood

(Gaza, 27 of May) UN vehicles driving at Gaza road, heading to Khan Younis UNRWA Housing and schooling project

Khan Younis general views, buildings unfinished, constructions stopped in 2007 after the blockade.

MEPs visit of Khan Younis, guided by Munir Manneh, Head UNRWA Construction and Engineering

Gaza city centre, Bank of Palestine, MEP arrivals with UN cars (pan).

Briefing by Board of directors of the Bank of Palestine, through which PEGASE (EU payments) are made to vulnerable Palestinian families.

MEP G&ouml;ran F&auml;rm explains that BUDG EP Committee members are the ones evaluating EU financial aid to Palestine and taking new decisions for budget 2011

Woman at cash machine of Bank of Palestine withdrawing money

Al-Zawya street market in Gaza city centre

Palestinian Authority Parliament destroyed during the war (two shots)

SOUNDBITE (French), Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR), The situation is a situation of emergency, the borders blockade do not allow goods to get in, and that makes even worse the humanitarian situation. We cannot rebuild the schools that have been destroyed, neither the homes of refugees that were leaving as such for long. And the fact is that, although there are projects with the necessary funding and houses that are almost finished, the blockade makes impossible for all these projects to be settled; as the necessary building material, even the necessary humanitarian goods, cannot arrive here&hellip; 

SOUNDBITE (French), Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR), This is an absurd and hypocrite situation, as goods are arriving anyways via the tunnels, by smuggling and black market practices that increase the prices and make the products unavailable for the population. So here, here there is an enormous amount of humanitarian help needed that cannot be accomplished because of political reasons. So this is a clear situation where political and humanitarian grounds are linked; if Israel does not open the borders to Gaza, we will not be efficient enough with our humanitarian help.

SOUNDBITE (French), V&#233;ronique DE KEYSER (S&amp;D, BE), Today in Gaza we can see an apparent kind of prosperity, and this is due to the fact that Gazauies are trying to get back on track and start up little businesses. Hamas has been reinforced by the blockade and this situation of blockade must come to an end; we in Europe are questioning ourselves whether to continue or not helping Gaza, people here is asking us about this, as they badly need the money &hellip; Well, I think it would be enough if the borders would open up, then the economy could recover, a real economy, and not an economy based of smuggling and black market that only benefits to the richest ones&hellip; That would bring to an end the suffering of Gaza people and would probably make possible a political change.

SOUNDBITE (French), Mich&#232;le STRIFFLER (EPP, FR), UNRWA is badly needing more financing; it&rsquo;s a real shame that they are not able to get the material they need for the building of schools and housing projects. We want to make lots of things for children here, we want this city to be rebuilt; without the money this will not be possible, and especially without the opening of borders&hellip; This dramatic situation needs to come to and end, if not we will not be able to go forward.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ivo VAJGL (ALDE, SK), My impression is that Gaza needs help, it needs lot of engagement, not only financial help, but also the active engagement of European Institutions, Parliament , Commission and also Council, in order to solve the status of this part of Palestinian territory. Palestine also needs helps for fining the way of reconciliation; and I would add that it is also needed for Israel to find a way to reconcile its interests and its plans with the notion of two states leaving in peace and in mutual recognition as good neighbours.