Stop Israeli 'Apartheid' Policies
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By Chris Davies MEP
Liberal Democrat of the European Parliament for the North West of England
Tuesday 18, April 2006

--Hopes Of Creating A Viable, Independent Palestinian State Are Being Destroyed On The Ground By Israeli Bulldozers, Barbed Wire And Concrete Walls, A Liberal Democrat MEP Has Claimed--

And Chris Davies warns that the EU's decision to suspend payments to the Palestinian Authority risks turning crisis into catastrophe.

An all-Party delegation from the European Parliament met last week with President Mahmoud Abbas and newly elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, including suporters of both Hamas and Fatah groups.

Now the MEPs are seeking an urgent meeting with Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative on Foreign Affairs, to urge that a dialogue begins before Palestinian despair erupts into violence that may spread far beyond the region.

Foreign Ministers agreed last week to cease support for the Palestinian Authority until the new Hamas-led government agrees to recognise Israel, renounce violence, and accept previous agreements.

But the MEPs report that even moderate politicians in Palestine regard the stance as a collective punishment imposed because people made the 'wrong' choice in democratic elections. The resulting huge rise in unemployment will make it impossible to control social unrest, they fear.

Chris Davies, a North West representative who is leader of the British Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament said that he had been shocked by what he had seen.

He commented:

"Very rapid changes are taking place on the ground. Palestinian land is being carved up and communities isolated. The people compare themselves to hamsters kept in cages connected by tubes that are opened and shut at the whim of their Israeli masters. Economic progress is impossible."

"Towns are being physically divided and people denied the right to travel between them. Israel continues to steal land to expand settlements served by roads the Palestinians are forbidden to use."

"We should be honest. These are the racist policies of Apartheid yet Israel continues to pose as a victim."

"I visited Auschwitz last year, and it is very difficult to understand why those whose history is one of such terrible oppression appear not to care that they have themselves become oppressors."

Mr Davies says he was asked repeatedly during his visit about EU double standards, with Palestinians being penalised while no action is taken to restrain Israel from flouting international law.

"Palestinian's are being subjected to intolerable pressure," he said. "Their democracy is not being respected, their land is being stolen, and their means of earning a living is being lost."

"The EU must speak up for Justice. It must stop Israel breaking the law, and it must at least enter into dialogue with the new Palestinian government to try and secure the necessary change in approach."

The MEP believes that the gulf between the position of the Hamas-led government and the EU may be smaller than some suppose.

"Negotiation on the basis of the 1967 borders implies recognition of the State of Israel," he said, "While the 'ceasefire' that Hamas has maintained deserves acknowledgement. Diplomacy may bridge the gaps."

Source:
http://www.chrisdaviesmep.org.uk/news/2006/Apr/stop_israeli_apartheid_policies_says_lib_dem_euro_mp.htm