Barred by Israel, US, EU delegations enter Gaza at Rafah

Published yesterday (updated) 22/05/2010 11:34 Bethlehem - Ma'an -

Ahead of their visit to Israel and Palestine, 15 members of the European Parliament released a statement saying they "deplored the Israeli authorities' refusal to grant access to Gaza" for the delegation.

A statement from the European parliament said that a portion of the delegates would enter Gaza via the Egyptian border at Rafah, rather than through Israel's Erez terminal.

A delegation of seven Americans with the American Association for International Conciliation, also bypassed the Israeli crossing, entering Gaza via Rafah on Friday.

Egyptian sources, who coordinated the passage of the group, said the Americans were to hold a series of meetings with Hamas officials, as part of a mission to bridge views between the Palestinian factions, and help achieve national conciliation. The delegation will spend two days in Gaza and will return on Saturday to Egypt.

The European Parliament MP's three-day mission - set for 24-7 May - was described by European officials as principally humanitarian, and also set to include an overview of the current progress in proximity talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators mediated by Americans, as well as checking in on projects in Palestinian areas funded by EU nations.

The mission reportedly includes a series of top-level meetings with Israeli and Palestinian politicians, parliamentarians and NGOs.

According to a news release, Israeli officials told the European MPs that "their visit to Gaza would confer legitimacy on Hamas," adding that the delegation "dismissed the idea."

The trip to Gaza "is purely to look at EU-funded reconstruction efforts and assess the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)," a statement said.

American delegation in Gaza

[ 22/05/2010 - 10:24 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

A seven-member American delegation comprising academics and activists arrived in Gaza Strip on Friday night for a 48-hour visit.

The crossings and borders department in Gaza said that the delegation of the American Association for International Conciliation was received by Ahmed Yousef, the foreign undersecretary and head of the government committee to break the siege and receive delegations, along with UNRWA officials.

Egyptian sources, who coordinated the passage of the group, said the Americans were to hold a series of meetings with Hamas officials, as part of a mission to bridge views between the Palestinian factions, and help achieve national conciliation.

They added that the delegates would get acquainted with humanitarian conditions in the Strip and the repercussions of the Israeli siege on Gaza inhabitants.