Two MEP’s from the Party of European Left  have just returned from the largest delegation of parliamentarians ever to visit the overwhelmed Gaza strip, witnessing the consequences of last year’s attack and the slow pace of reconstruction since then.  

Marisa Matias (Portugal) and Helmut Scholz (Germany) were among 50 national and European Parliamentarians who met with the Palestinian Legislative Council, NGOs and UNRWA in Gaza, and met the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Secretary General of the Arab League and the Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament in Cairo.

The parliamentarian delegation declared that Ismail Haniya have the door open to Palestinian reconciliation, but explained that “the Hamas still has to show its involvement to the international community, to all European leaders and to USA”. The prime minister of the Palestinian Legislative Council also said that he is ready to accept Egypt as a mediator of the peace process.

Before and after the meeting with Ismail Haniya, MEP’s were with UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), who revealed updated data on. The commission explained that in one year they counted Gaza invasion consequences1400 deaths – from which 350 children and 220 women - and five thousand wounded.

"People have lost their houses, and have seen their economy and livelihoods destroyed. Many lack the basic necessities for daily life and while locals are trying their best, large scale reconstruction is impossible without the materials that are being blocked by the siege."

The UNRWA disclosed that, after the bombings, the international community immediately offered 4,5 thousand million dollar for Gaza strip reconstruction but so far all the money and materials have not entered the territory because of  Israeli blockage. The thus territory remains destroyed and the population remains abandoned by international community.

MEPs took part in the fact-finding mission organised by the European Campaign to end the siege on Gaza (ECESG) and headed by Sir Gerald Kaufmann.