{news} Green MEP condemns EU 'imbalance' over Israel

[Justine McCabe]

>
> NEWS RELEASE
>> From the office of the South-East England's Green MEP Caroline Lucas
>>
>> July 5th, 2006
>>
>> MEP CONDEMNS EU 'IMBALANCE' OVER ISRAEL
>> EU PUSHING PALESTINE TO HUMANITARIAN BRINK, WARNS LUCAS
>>
>> GREEN Party MEP Caroline Lucas has condemned the EU's response to events
>> in
>> the Middle East as unbalanced – and a risk to the EU's credibility in the
>> region.
>>
>> Dr Lucas, who is a member of the EU's delegation to the occupied
>> Palestinian
>> territories – and was an official election observer in Gaza last year –
>> said
>> a Finnish presidency statement on behalf of the EU Council on recent
>> events
>> in Gaza gave undue emphasis to the kidnapping of one Israeli soldier but
>> was
>> far less critical of Israel's 'completely disproportionate' response.
>>
>> She said: "Contrary to international law and humanitarian principles, the
>> Israeli government has systematically attacked civilian electricity and
>> water supplies – and kidnapped and arrested fully 64 Palestinian elected
>> representatives.
>>
>> "If that had happened anywhere else in the world we would expect 
>> immediate
>> condemnation by the international community.
>>
>> "Of course we all condemn the kidnapping of the Israeli soldier, and call
>> for his swift and safe release – but we should be consistent and not
>> forget
>> that Israel is holding 9,600 Palestinian political prisoners, over half 
>> of
>> whom are being held without trial and nearly 400 of whom are children
>> under
>> 18."
>>
>> Dr Lucas called on the EU to restore full financial assistance to
>> Palestine
>> and re-open dialogue with the Hamas leadership, which has demonstrated 
>> its
>> credibility and ability to evolve by agreeing to sign the so-called
>> 'Prisoners' Agreement' calling for a government of national coalition and
>> taking a step towards the recognition of Israel.
>>
>> Speaking in a parliamentary debate on events in Israel and Gaza over
>> recent
>> days, she added: "The EU simply cannot justify the continued withholding
>> of
>> vital funding, which is denying payment to doctors, teachers and other
>> public servants, crippling the Palestinian authority and exacerbating the
>> already desperate humanitarian crisis.
>>
>> "Current EU policy is completely counter-productive: it hurts the poorest
>> and most vulnerable, drives many into the arms of extremists, and
>> undermines
>> the very political and judicial reforms which we have been demanding for
>> years.
>>
>> "To build peace and address the unfolding humanitarian crisis we must
>> condemn all human rights violations – whether Palestinian or Israeli – 
>> and
>> re-open effective dialogue with all parties. It is simply unacceptable to
>> collectively punish the Palestinian people for their choices at the
>> ballots
>> in a free and fair election."
>>
>> ENDS
>>
>> Note to Editors:    Dr Lucas made her comments in an intervention during 
>> a
>> Parliamentary debate on EU policy in Israel / Palestine. For a copy see
>> www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk or call Ben on any number below.
>>
>>  For more information please contact Ben on 01273 671946, 07973 823358 or
>> ben at greenmeps.org.uk
>> www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk
>>
>> Ben Duncan
>> Media Officer to Caroline Lucas MEP
>> benduncan at greenmeps.org.uk
>> 01273 671946 (office)
>> 07973 823358 (mobile)
>
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