Three months after US President Donald Trump announced the formal
recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, along with his
decision to move the US embassy to the city, the S&D Group is
conducting a fact-finding mission to both Israel and
Palestine.
In the course of the 5 days the S&D MEPs will get first-hand
experience of the developments on the ground, with the focus on
settlement activities including in East Jerusalem and Hebron. The
delegation will also visit Am’ari Girls' School to meet UNRWA
student parliamentarians.
The S&D MEPs will meet officials from both sides, as well as
the leaders of the social democratic parties in Israel and
Palestine.
The delegation takes place on 24-28 March and includes six
S&D MEPs: Elena Valenciano (ES), Maria Arena (BE), Eugen
Freund (AT), Linda McAvan (UK), Norbert Neuser (DE) and Soraya
Post (SE).
S&D Group vice-president and the chair of the delegation,
Elena Valenciano MEP, said:
"Our S&D mission to Israel and to Palestine aims to continue
the dialogue with our sister parties on both sides. We will also
meet prominent Palestinian political leaders to discuss the
further deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including East
Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Our Group works all the year round
with our partners in the Middle East. This time we also focus on
the contribution of Israeli and Palestinian civil society to
achieving peace. To this end, we will personally witness the
situation in the recognised and unrecognised villages of Bedouins
in the Negev.
“We are not optimistic, but we want to make it sure that the
progressive segment of Israeli society, and of course Palestinian
society, as well as the authorities apprehend our solidarity and
connection to them, and also understand that we are ready to
support and accompany them on the way to peace”.
