Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP hosts visit of York Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to Brussels (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP hosts visit of York Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to Brussels

November 27, 2007 9:46 AM

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis, will host a visit of the York Branch of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to the European Parliament in Brussels tomorrow Wednesday 28th November.

The visit to Brussels comes as a result of a meeting Diana Wallis had with the group in York earlier in the year.

Ms. Wallis, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, said:

"I think it is important that all sides of the case in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are put, but I think the information we get in the European Parliament over the past few years has become somewhat out of balance. Therefore, it is important that Palestinian solidarity groups, such as the one from York in the heart of my constituency, are given the opportunity to put their case to parliamentarians and other decision-makers. I am delighted to be able to host the visit of York Branch of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign this week, especially as it coincides with the Mid-East peace conference in Annapolis."

Whilst in Brussels the ten-strong group will meet other MEPs and representatives from the European Commission and the European Council, as well as attending a photographic exhibition in the Parliament: 'I wish: Palestine Refugee Youth Dream the Future'.

Michael Gwilliam, the leader of the group, said in advance of the visit:

"We are pleased to be given this opportunity to make our views heard in Brussels. We want to see much more leadership by the EU on Palestine, in order to pressure the Israeli Government and bring help and hope to the Palestinian people".

"We will press for action to halt the EU-Israel Association Agreement with Israel, as they have clearly broken the terms of the Agreement on Human Rights.

"Also, we want immediate action on Gaza: more aid, and the opening of a dialogue with the elected Government of Gaza so as to avoid a human catastrophe.

"We also want MEPs and Commissioners to sign the York Declaration on Justice for Palestinians".

Notes:

Since it was founded in 1982, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has become the largest and most active campaigning organisation in the UK on the issue of Palestine. It aims are: 'to build an effective mass campaign, organising protests, political lobbying and raising public awareness'. The York branch of the PSC is one of many branches in the UK. There is one other branch in Yorkshire: in Sheffield. www.yorkpsc.org.uk/

Peace and Justice in the Middle East: the York Declaration 2007

For forty years Israel has been in violation of several major UN Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions, because of its Occupation of the West Bank including East Jerusalem and its continued imprisonment of the Gaza Strip. It is in violation of international humanitarian law, as expressed in the 4th Geneva Convention, because of its persistent human rights and other abuses directed towards the Palestinian people. It is furthermore in violation of the 2004 verdict of the International Court of Justice relating to the Wall it continues to build on illegally Occupied Land. Its continued Occupation of Palestinian land is causing great suffering to many people and is a major source of conflict and instability in the Middle East.

We the undersigned wish to express our deep concern at the injustice and oppression that after so many years Israel continues to inflict on the Palestinian people.

Palestine is a land that is special to many people throughout the world. We call upon the international community to act urgently to end the suffering, death and injustice that continue to blight that land.