Leader of Socialists and Democrats in European Parliament: European funding will be unblocked as soon as possible

The leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Iratxe Garcia, said today that the European financial assistance, which has been suspended, will be unblocked as soon as possible.

She stressed that the decision to resume the funding will be confirmed tomorrow, stressing that during the last months they have worked very hard on this issue, noting that all information they have has confirmed that this financial assistance, which has been suspended, will be unblocked at soon as possible, adding that the specific date is still unknown but it will happen.

She added that as a group, they have worked in a systematic way to push for resuming the funding to the Palestinians unconditionally.

She also affirmed during a press conference in Ramallah the European support for the Palestinian state-building and the two-state solution.

She deplored the deterioration on the ground and manipulation of human rights by the Israeli occupation.

The head of the SandD group said she will be leading a mission of SandD MEPs to the southern Hebron hills, including the Masafer Yatta area, where 12 Palestinian communities are facing the threat of forced expulsion for the benefit of settlement construction.

She stressed the importance of this visit to have different perspectives about the situation and learn more about what is happening at this moment in Palestine.

The leader of the Socialists and Democrats also affirmed the European support for Palestine and the Palestinian people and affirmed their clear commitment to work as a European Socialists and Democrats to improve the lives of Palestinian citizens and to guarantee their rights.

She also stressed the European clear position against settlements, what is happening with this occupation, and the Israeli authorities’ decision to take out some Palestinian families from their homes. “We are totally against and we regret this situation and we are asking to change this situation.”

She stressed the importance of this visit to know much better about the situation in Palestine and more importantly what will be done after this mission because, she stressed, that after this visit they will urge the European parliament to work and insist on all these issues and the different initiatives that can be done.

She further deplored the killing of Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, noting that they have introduced a debate at the European parliament to discuss this important issue, adding that “we are keeping our demand for an international independent investigation because it is very important to know what happened and we will push for this international independent investigation.”

She also expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, stating that: “Tomorrow is the 15 anniversary of the blockade [on Gaza] and we have asked to go to Gaza but were not allowed to.”

The group is also set to hold meetings with Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) Rawhi Fattouh, and with representatives of the Palestinian Authority.

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA)