EU has role to play to support people of Palestine, says Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said the EU and wider international community should challenge US plans to unilaterally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Martina Anderson said:

"I met today with other members of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Palestine to discuss our huge concerns about the unilateral plans by US President Donald Trump to name Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"There is huge anger about this in Palestine and I have met with the Palestinian ambassador to discuss the matter.

"It is a provocative step which will set back efforts to secure a lasting and just peace in the region.

"There is a role for the EU, and the wider international community, to oppose this step and to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.

"This solidarity needs to be more than words and must include direct challenges to Israel's repeated breaches of international law with the expansion of illegal settlements."