Local MP Sandra Osborne spoke in support of the plight of Palestinians at a session of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg last week.
Sandra said
"It is impossible to talk about the ability of the Palestinians to make progress on meeting their obligations under partner for democracy status without reference to the occupation.
No country can truly enjoy both the rights and responsibilities of democracy, human rights and the rule of law while it is illegally occupied and struggling to get by on a daily basis.
Visit the West Bank and especially Gaza and you cannot fail to see the absolutely dire conditions. The Egyptian military has destroyed or closed many of the tunnels that have been supplying Gaza no doubt reducing the illegal smuggling of weapons but also the supply of everyday essentials and economic necessities.
The winter storms in December led to massive flooding with10,000 people displaced. Gaza will shortly be ' an unliveable place - with no food, power or clean water ' Not my words but those of UK Minister Alan Duncan returned from a visit last week Pressure must be put on Israel and Egypt to end the blockade before it is too late.
I would also like to support the amendment by the Equality and Non Discrimination Committee in relation to women. Universal human rights should not depend on whether you live in the West Bank, Gaza or Jerusalem , your religion or which political party is in power.
Palestinian women have achieved much over many years in a situation of conflict and insecurity. For example if they achieve a 30 per cent cent quota when the general election happens they will be ahead of many mature democracies including the UK.
I refer also to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which reaffirms the significant role that women play in peace negotiations, peace building, humanitarian response and post conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security - I welcome that this is recognised in the report and amendment.
In relation to violence against women those countries who provide substantial aid to the Palestinian Authority must make it conditional on greater emphasis being put on preventing violence.
Finally I look forward to the day when Palestine can pursue the cause of democracy, human rights and the rule of law fully as a state in its own right."
Sandra said
"It is impossible to talk about the ability of the Palestinians to make progress on meeting their obligations under partner for democracy status without reference to the occupation.
No country can truly enjoy both the rights and responsibilities of democracy, human rights and the rule of law while it is illegally occupied and struggling to get by on a daily basis.
Visit the West Bank and especially Gaza and you cannot fail to see the absolutely dire conditions. The Egyptian military has destroyed or closed many of the tunnels that have been supplying Gaza no doubt reducing the illegal smuggling of weapons but also the supply of everyday essentials and economic necessities.
The winter storms in December led to massive flooding with10,000 people displaced. Gaza will shortly be ' an unliveable place - with no food, power or clean water ' Not my words but those of UK Minister Alan Duncan returned from a visit last week Pressure must be put on Israel and Egypt to end the blockade before it is too late.
I would also like to support the amendment by the Equality and Non Discrimination Committee in relation to women. Universal human rights should not depend on whether you live in the West Bank, Gaza or Jerusalem , your religion or which political party is in power.
Palestinian women have achieved much over many years in a situation of conflict and insecurity. For example if they achieve a 30 per cent cent quota when the general election happens they will be ahead of many mature democracies including the UK.
I refer also to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which reaffirms the significant role that women play in peace negotiations, peace building, humanitarian response and post conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security - I welcome that this is recognised in the report and amendment.
In relation to violence against women those countries who provide substantial aid to the Palestinian Authority must make it conditional on greater emphasis being put on preventing violence.
Finally I look forward to the day when Palestine can pursue the cause of democracy, human rights and the rule of law fully as a state in its own right."