PRESS RELEASE from the Council for European Palestinian Relations (CEPR)
Brussels/London
-- November 18, 2011
The
Council for European Palestinian Relations (CEPR) prepares to leave for Gaza on
November 21 with its largest international delegation yet. Delegates include renowned
politicians from countries in South America, Asia, Africa and Europe; as well
as two outspoken Members of European Parliament -- Ms. Marisa Matias and Mr.
Paul Murphy.
On 4 November 2011, Mr. Paul Murphy was detained on-board the
Irish boat, MV Saorise, by Israeli authorities in international waters. Along
with other activists, he himself was detained for a week for having tried to
help break the Gaza blockade.
The CEPR offers an opportunity to witness the situation on the ground for politicians willing to see Gaza with their own eyes.
The CEPR delegation
will meet with local politicians, Palestinian civil society groups as well as
with international NGOs and UN agencies working in Gaza. In the aftermath of the
Palestinian UN bid and repeated attempts to break the siege of Gaza, this
delegation will provide the chance to learn more about the Palestinian
predicament.
With the release of the Israeli soldier, the CEPR considers
there is no longer any reason for the Israeli Defense Forces to continue
maintaining the blockade of Gaza. CEPR Director Dr. Arafat Shoukri
claims: "the Israeli siege is a violation of International law; this delegation
shows that our friends around the world also want to see the restoration of
Palestinians in Gaza."
The CEPR will issue an official joint declaration
to end of the siege of Gaza by the politicians on the delegation, and by previous
delegates as well as the network of NGOs around the world that support the
restitution of Palestinian rights in accordance with international law. This
declaration will endorse the free access and movement of Palestinians to and
from Gaza by sea, land and air.
For more information, please contact:
Stuart Reigeluth (stuart(dot)reigeluth(@symbol)thecepr.org)
Communication Officer, Council for
European Palestinian Relations (CEPR)
+32 (0)2 503 5402
+32 (0)485 432
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