From Ramallah, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, GUE/NGL MEP Martina Anderson, chair of the Delegation for Relations with Palestine in the European Parliament, has issued the following statement: 

“Israel’s continued occupation of Palestine, its colonial settlement activities and cruel detention and killing of civilians, are unacceptable under international law and in all good conscience. Israel's arrogant violations of international law have caused a humanitarian disaster, and threaten our hopes for peace in the region. Ending the injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people is a moral and humanitarian responsibility that the entire international community must take up.”

“As we mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, I would like to reiterate my call for the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The world must place genuine pressure on Israel until it complies with international law and returns to peace talks. The Palestinian people have the right to enjoy freedom, dignity, sovereignty and independence in a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

“The collective punishment of Palestinian people must end. The occupation must end.”