Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today called on the Commission and the European Parliament President to renew demands on Israel to end the almost three year Siege of Gaza.

“This week last year the Israeli war on Gaza was in full spate. Over 1400 people died, mostly civilians and including over 300 children. Yet 12 months later Israel maintains its siege, preventing the rebuilding of people's homes, medical facilities, clean water, sanitation and electricity and business premises, while also blocking adequate food supplies.

“Europe must also intervene immediately to prevent the expulsion of journalist Jared Malsin, a US citizen, and insist that he should be allowed to continue his work as English language Editor of the Ma'an, the non-profit news agency based in Bethlehem in the West bank.

“Israel should stop interfering with the freedom of the press in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The latest information available to me indicates that Israel is currently attempting to deny Mr. Malsin access to due process and is holding him at Tel Aviv airport. This is simply one more example of the hundreds of instances of control exercised over the daily lives of the people in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, in an attempt to wipe out any hope of positive change in their lives.

"Europe does not tolerate such actions from others of our trade partners. The Commission has recently blocked a fisheries agreement with Guinea because government actions there last year resulted in the death of 150 demonstrators.

“Why do we treat Israel differently?

“Its time for Europe to flex its economic muscle and tell Israel in no uncertain terms that our patience is at an end and that they must comply with International humanitarian law along with human rights law, including the right of the press to be free from government interference, or that they will face the economic consequences.”