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12 March 2013

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Israeli President’s European Parliament visit protested by MEPs

MEPs speak up for Palestine during European Parliament visit by the President of Israel

'No upgrading of EU-Israel relations should be considered unless Israel complies with its obligations under international law, notably human rights and humanitarian law.'

A PROTEST by progressive MEPs against a visit to the European Parliament by the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, on Tuesday was joined by Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson.

Martina Anderson bylineMartina (right) also co-signed a motion strongly condemning the death of Palestinian Arafat Jaradat who died in prison under interrogation last month.

The father-of-two, from near Hebron in the West Bank, had been arrested by the Israeli Shin Bet internal security service for allegedly throwing a stone that injured an Israeli.

He died six days later at Megiddo Prison from what the Israel Prison Service said appeared to be a heart attack. Palestinian officials countered that an autopsy carried out by Israeli pathologists showed he had suffered two broken ribs and had bruising. They said he had suffered “harsh torture”.

Speaking from Brussels at the protest, Martina Anderson offered her deepest condolences to Arafat Jaradat’s family and added:

“The motion – as well as condemning Arafat Jaradat's death – also highlights the deplorable conditions of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli detention and demonstrates Israel's disregard of international conventions, including those which it is a signatory to.

“We are calling for the international community as a matter of urgency to assume its political, legal and moral responsibilities to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. It also calls on those states that subscribe to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligation to ensure Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law.

“We are also insisting on the implementation by Israel of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and that Israel, as the occupying power, comply with international humanitarian law, in particular its provisions concerning the protection of civilians living under occupation.

“No upgrading of EU-Israel relations should be considered unless Israel complies with its obligations under international law, notably human rights and humanitarian law.”

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