LOC21:11
18:11 GMT
BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (KUNA) -- The official European Parliament (EP) delegation for relations with Palestine was denied access to Gaza by Israeli authorities on Wednesday.
"The refusal of access to Gaza by the Israeli authorities to the European Parliament on arbitrary grounds is unacceptable and this explanation is unacceptable. Denying the European Parliament entry to Gaza has become systematic despite the exception last year for a brief visit by Parliament's Budget Committee Chair," Delegation Chair Neoklis Sylikiotism said in a statement.
The delegation started its work on the ground in Palestine last Monday and was set to visit Gaza to assess the destruction caused by Israel in the 2014 conflict and the reconstruction efforts, as well as a number of important projects funded by the European Union.
"This Parliamentary Delegation has been denied entry since 2011. What is there to hide from us? Our positions are well-known," he noted.
The EU is the biggest donor to Palestine, and has recently launched the largest desalination plant being built so far in Gaza, providing fresh water to 75,000 people. This is among other humanitarian and development projects that the Delegation intends to assess, he pointed out.
The delegation includes four other Members of the European Parliament: Margrete Auken, Brando Benifei, Ivo Vajgl and Angela Vallina. (end)
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