The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today it was following with grave concern the decision by Israel, the occupying power, to deny the entry of the Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Palestine, Mr. Manu Pineda, to Palestine for the second time.

It said the Israeli decision is aimed at obstructing him from exercising his full role and mandate as the Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Palestine.

“This step comes in an attempt to silence peaceful dissent to its [Israel’s] illegal occupation; the ban of the delegation’s chair is an apparent contempt of the European Parliament by the occupying power and an obstruction to the activities of this respected institution,” said the Foreign Ministry in a press statement.

“Such unacceptable behavior aims at silencing and defaming pro-justice voices that courageously speak out against Israel’s prolific and systemic crimes and grave violations of Palestinian rights and international law obligations.”

The statement urged the President of the European Parliament and its member states to take a clear position against the banning of Mr. Pineda by Israel, the occupying power, and to assume their responsibilities in defending him and his invaluable work.

“Failing to do so will send a grave message to all other outspoken and distinguished Parliamentarians. These tactics must not prevail. They must not succeed.”

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency