Israel bans EU MPs from Gaza

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Gaza – Ma’an – Israel banned a delegation of European members of parliament from entering the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing on Wednesday, despite previously approving the visit, the EU said.

“Israel had yesterday afternoon granted final permission for all members of our delegation to travel,” the European Parliament group said in a statement.

“However, some three hours later entry for all members of the delegation was rescinded ’on security grounds,’ without further explanation,”

“We insist on a full explanation of the security risks claimed by Israel,” the statement continued.

“We received the news of the cancellation with bewilderment and dismay.”

“It is extremely curious that the cancellation came within a few hours of the announcement of the EU Council statement re-affirming Europe’s strong position in favor of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders and an end to settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” the statement added.

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