DPAL - European Parliament

General documents - Next meeting: Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at 15:00-16:30, in Strasbourg - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:18:46 GMT

The next meeting of the Delegation for relations with Palestine will take place on Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at 15:00-16:30 , in Strasbourg, Room DE MADARIAGA S1

The main points in the agenda will be

Exchange of views on the situation of Palestinian Christians with Mr Xavier Abu Eid - Higher Presidential Committee on Churches Affairs in Palestine and with Ms Hiba M. Khoury - "Sama Gaza" organisation, Higher Presidential Committee on Churches Affairs in Palestine

Exchange of views on the "Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill" of the Irish Parliament (Dáil) with Mr Matt Carthy, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Irish Parliament

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Latest news - Next meeting: Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at 15:00-16:30 in Strasbourg - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:17:35 GMT

The next meeting of the Delegation for relations with Palestine will take place on Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at 15:00-16:30 , in Strasbourg, Room DE MADARIAGA S1

The main points in the agenda will be

Exchange of views on the situation of Palestinian Christians with Mr Xavier Abu Eid - Higher Presidential Committee on Churches Affairs in Palestine and with Ms Hiba M. Khoury - "Sama Gaza" organisation, Higher Presidential Committee on Churches Affairs in Palestine

Exchange of views on the "Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill" of the Irish Parliament (Dáil) with Mr Matt Carthy, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Irish Parliament

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Mission to Palestine in February 2023 - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 07:40:12 GMT

The Delegation for relations with Palestine traveled on an official mission to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on 21-23 February 2023.

Seven members from four political groups of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Palestine, led by Vice-Chair Margrete Auken concluded their official visit to Palestine on 23 February 2023.

The members strongly denounced the unilateral decision of the Israeli authorities to ban once again the Chair of the Delegation, Manuel Pineda as well as MEP Ana Miranda Paz from entering Palestine and to deny access to the Gaza Strip to the whole delegation. They highlighted that it is unacceptable that the Israeli authorities attempt to block the European Parliament's work.

See attached the full report.

Mission Report (English, Spanish and French) : [EN] - [ES] - [FR]

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Meeting on 1st anniversary since killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Wed, 10 May 2023 14:30:04 GMT

The delegation held a very interesting meeting on Wednesday, 10 May 2023, at 15:00-16:30 , in Strasbourg

The main points of the agenda were an exchange of views with Walid Omary, Chief of Aljazeera, on the "One year since the killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh".
There was also a complete debriefing of the mission of the Delegation to Palestine to the West Bank (20-23 February 2023) by Vice-chair Margrete Auken, who led the mission.
The meeting was webstreamed live.

EP LIVE Webstreaming of the meeting

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - 2023 Draft CALENDAR of meetings of the Delegation - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:35:21 GMT

Monday, 9 January 2023 at 15:00-16:30 in Brussels
Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 16:00-17:30 in Strasbourg
Thursday, 2 February 2023 at 14:00-15:00 (in-camera) in Brussels
Wednesday, 15 February 2023, at 15:30-17:00 in Strasbourg
Wednesday, 10 May 2023, at 15:00-16:30 in Brussels
Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 15h00-16h30 (Strasbourg)
Thursday, 7 September 2023 at 14h00-15h30 (Brussels)
Wednesday, 4 October 2023 at 15h00-16h30 (Strasbourg)
Thursday. 9 November 2023 at 15h00-16h30 (Brussels)
Wednesday, 13 December 2023 at 15h00-16h30 (Strasbourg)

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Meeting with Ms Francesca Albanese on Wednesday, 15 February 2023 in Strasbourg - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:01:00 GMT

The Delegatiom met with Ms Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, in view of the Delegation's official mission to West Banc and Gaza (20-23 February 2023)

The meeting is available online on the EP Multimedia Centre

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Statement from the Delegation after the official mission to Palestine on 21-23 February 2023 - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 18:37:34 GMT

Brussels, 1 March 2023

The European Parliament delegation strongly condemned the occupation policies in the West Bank, including East-Jerusalem and expressed deep concern about the human rights situation across the occupied Palestinian territories. It reaffirmed that adherence to international law is essential to achieving peace in the Middle East and remains a fundamental priority for the European Union.

Seven members from four political groups of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Palestine, led by Vice-Chair Margrete Auken (Greens-EFA/Denmark) have concluded last Friday, their official visit to Palestine (20-23 February 2023). The members conducting the official visit strongly denounced the unilateral decision of the Israeli authorities to ban once again the Chair of the Delegation, Manuel Pineda (The Left/ Spain) as well as MEP Ana Miranda Paz (Greens-EFA/Spain) from entering Palestine and to deny access to the Gaza Strip to the whole delegation. They highlighted that it is unacceptable that the Israeli authorities attempt to block the European Parliament's work.

The Delegation's main objective with this mission was to scrutinise the current political, social and human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories and to engage with political actors and civil society organisations (CSOs). The delegation reaffirmed that the two state solution based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital of both states remains the only viable option for the European Union to achieving peace, and hence strongly denounced settlers violence and the latest violent incursions by the Israeli military forces into Nablus as well as the provocative actions and unilateral decisions on settlement expansion and outpost legalisation by the Israeli government. Members recalled that settlements are illegal under international law. The settlements and annexation must be stopped and reversed to obtain the two state solution and a viable Palestinian state. The delegation therefore condemned, the recent decisions of the Israeli government to expand settlements and its memorandum of understanding transferring the civil administration over the occupied Palestinian Territories from the military commander to Minister Smotrich which constitutes de jure annexation. They underlined the importance of accountability, the respect for international law and supporting Palestinian presence in the West Bank with EU funding. In almost all meetings, Palestinian interlocutors expressed their disappointment about the international community´s inaction in the face of Israel's violations.

The delegation went to East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, the South Hebron Hills, including Masafer Yatta and witnessed the devastating effects of Israeli occupation policies - settlements, evictions and demolitions of properties - on the daily life of the Palestinian population, notably on their dire and deteriorating human rights situation. Members perceived the unsettling acceleration of the expansion of settlement enterprise in the West Bank and Jerusalem with houses demolitions, harassments of Palestinian communities and killings in the South Hebron Hills (Masafer Yatta) as well as eviction orders and demolitions in communities of East Jerusalem (Wadi Qaddoum and Jabal Mukabber). The building of massive infrastructures to connect settlements to Israel became apparent during travels and visits of an Israeli settlement (Giv'on Hahadasha) in the West Bank and exposed the contrast to the extremely limited freedom of movement of Palestinians.

Members were briefed during their visit to Haram Al Sharif about attempts by Israeli authorities to erode the status quo of the Holy Sites. A Visit of East Jerusalem, including the old town, and meetings with Palestinian and Israeli CSOs working on the monitoring of the occupation policies, allowed the delegation to witness the growing pressure on Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. It also laid bare the troubling situation of Christians particularly in East Jerusalem as well as the West Bank, who face increasing attacks by far-right groups, including five in February 2023 and harassment in their traditional quarters in the old town or remain separated from their holy sites in Jerusalem as a consequence of the Israeli occupation and its policies. Christians as well as Muslims are, as Palestinians, suffering from the alarming development of the occupation.

In Ramallah, meetings with a broad spectrum of Palestinian civil society representatives and independent journalists revealed the immense challenges to their work, as they face intense pressure from both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The delegation met with the six NGOs listed as "terrorist organizations" by the Israeli authorities. Members condemned this designation, which seriously constrains their legitimate human rights and humanitarian work and recalled the long-standing cooperation of many of them with the EU and its Member States, calling for a reversal of this decision and cease disruption of their work. They deplored Commissioner Varhelyi's arbitrary decision to suspend EU funding for one year, welcomed the decision of the European Commission President to resume funding, and underlined the European Parliament's position that EU funds should not be suspended without evidence of misuse. They reiterated EU's continuous support for civil society organisations and exchange between Europeans and Palestinians.

In Ramallah, Members also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Foreign Affairs Minister Riad Al-Malki. The delegation reaffirmed that the Palestinian Authority is a valuable partner for peace and state building, however underlined that economic and political reforms are much needed. Members stressed the need to see a functional and effective Palestinian Legislative Council carrying out its role as representative of the people and as legislator. Members encouraged the Palestinian Authority to organise the long-due presidential and parliamentary elections in all occupied Palestinian Territories, including East-Jerusalem and called on all actors to resume talks and efforts in order to set a new date, as soon as possible. The political participation, especially of the youth is important, particularly against the backdrop of the significant gap in age and ideas between current leadership and the younger population. Members recalled that the European Parliament stands ready to send its elections observation team in support of the EU election observation mission, once a date is set.

Members regretted that the visit of UNRWA refugee camp (Balata) and the meeting with students of the university Birzeit, foreseen on 23 February had to be cancelled due to a military operation by Israeli Security Forces into Nablus and the killing of eleven Palestinians. The delegation stressed that the tense and critical situation on the ground calls for urgent action from the EU with strong support for the two state solution and clear communication vis-a-vis Israel to halt settlement construction, cease all forms of violence and fulfil its obligations under international law.

Ms Margrete AUKEN, 2nd Vice-Chair

Mr César LUENA

Mr Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Ms Salima YENBOU

Ms Grace O'SULLIVAN

Mr Marc BOTENGA

Mr João PIMENTA LOPES

Press statement from the DPAL after the official mission to Palestine (Arabic) : [EN]

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Statement of the Members of the official mission to the West Bank and to Gaza - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:59:14 GMT

Jerusalem, 22/02/2023

The last minute decision of the Israeli authorities to deny entry in the country to MEP Ana Miranda Paz, member of the DPAL, is unacceptable. Last week, for a second time since last year, the same entry ban concerned the Delegation's Chair Manu Pineda. Both decisions of the Israeli authorities target the European Parliament's work and our institution as a whole.

The Delegation's main objective with this mission is to scrutinise the current critical political, social and human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories and engaging with political actors and CSOs. The Delegation cannot accept that the Israeli authorities unilaterally decide which Members the European Parliament can or not entrust on a mission to visit Palestine.

The Israeli authorities had been informed well in advance of the composition of the delegation and the entry of Ana Miranda Paz had been authorised expressly by the Israeli authorities. She was instead stopped upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport, spent the night awaiting checks, was offered no accommodation, was handed an entry ban and booked on the first flight back to Spain.

The Delegation also recalls that Ms Miranda Paz, as all Members of the European Parliament, enjoys diplomatic status with all the attached rights and privileges and it will request that the European Parliament assesses whether these rights and privileges have been duly respected during her custody.

Additionally, the Israeli authorities also prevented the whole Delegation from entering the Gaza Strip. Members of the European Parliament have not been allowed to enter Gaza for over a decade, hindering work related to the extremely precarious humanitarian situation in this territory. The European Parliament with its latest resolution of 14 December 2022 "on the prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine" called for unhindered access for Members of the European Parliament to the Gaza Strip. This reality reminds the world that Israel is the occupying power of the Palestinian Territories, including Gaza.

These decisions show a regrettable lack of respect of Israeli authorities for the European Parliament and an attempt to unduly intervene on the way in which the Delegation for relations with Palestine should carry out its mandate. The situation is even more unfortunate in light of the recent visit of President Herzog in the European Parliament on 26 January, which strengthened the bond between our institution and the State of Israel.

Statement of the Members of the official mission to the West Bank and to Gaza

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Meeting with Mr Salah Hammouri on Wednesday, 18 January 2023, in Strasbourg - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 16:37:02 GMT

The Delegation for relations with Palestine held a meeting in Strasbourg, on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 16h00-17h30

The main point of the agenda was an Exchange of views with Mr Salah Hammouri, Palestinian-French human rights lawyer deported by Israel

The meeting was webstreamed and is available via the EP Multimedia Centre

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Meeting of the Delegation of Monday, 9 January 2023 on MEPP - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 11:24:37 GMT

The Delegation for relations with Palestine met on Monday, 9 January 2023 at 15:00-16-30 in Brussels in association with the Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries, to hold an exchange of views on the Middle East Peace Process with Mr Sven Koopmans, EU Special Representative for Middle East Peace Process

The meeting was webstreamed and could be followed via the EP Multimedia Centre

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 14:49:50 GMT

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the prospects of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine (2022/2949(RSP))
Link to the resolution in the European Parliament's website (P9_TA(2022)0443)

You can also read/watch the debate in the following link

Full text of the resolution (EN)

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of the Bureu of the Delegation on 23 November 2022 - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:59:44 GMT

The Bureau of the Delegation for relations with Palestine met in Strasbourg, on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, at 18h00-19h00, to discuss the activities of the Delegation for the year 2023, including the mission to Palestine.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 15:35:18 GMT

European Parliament resolution of 23 November 2022 on promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region (2020/2113(INI))

Link to the resolution in the European Parliament's web (P9_TA(2022)0408)

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of the Delegation on Thursday, 10 November 2022 on Palestinian digital rights - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 13:07:29 GMT

The meeting of the Delegation for relations with Palestine took place in Brussels, on Thursday, 10 November 2022, at 13h00-14h30, room SPINELLI 1G2

The The main subject discussed was the situation of Palestinian digital rights, with Ms Mona Shtaya, Advocacy Advisor of 7amleh (Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media)

The meeting was webstreamed and could be followed via the EP Multimedia Centre

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of the Delegation on Monday, 26 September 2022, in Brussels - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 17:20:19 GMT

The Delegation for relations with Palestine held, as a main point of the agenda, a very interesting exchange of views on the health conditions in Palestine with

Dr Samah Jabr, Prof Psychiatry, Head of Mental Health Unit - Palestinian Ministry of Health

Dr Nizar Badran, Former President of PalMed Europe

Dr Riyadh Almasharqah, President of PalMed Europe

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Overview of EU-Palestine relations (West Bank and Gaza Strip and UNRWA) - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 07:45:55 GMT

The Office of the European Union Representative of West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA, describes EU-Palestine relations in these terms:
"The European Union (EU) has a long-standing commitment to the vision of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. The EU and the Palestinian Authority (PA) enjoy a strong partnership guided by the principles of mutual accountability, transparency and deep democracy that are essential to the establishment of a future democratic Palestinian state."

The EEAS's website contains documentation on:

Political relations
Technical and financial cooperation
Humanitarian aid
EU Joint Programming

EEAS webpage describing EU-Palestine relations

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - EU trade relations with Palestine - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 07:36:45 GMT

An Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation was concluded between the European Economic Community (the EEC; the EU's predecessor) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 1997. The agreement provides for duty-free access to EU markets for Palestinian industrial goods, and a phase-out of tariffs on EU exports to Palestine* over five years. An agreement for further liberalisation of agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products entered into force on 1 January 2012.

European Commission web page on trade

General documents - Meeting of the Delegation 06 July 2022 (15:00-16:30) in Strasbourg - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 12:07:42 GMT

Exchange of views with Mr. Estephan Salameh, Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister of Palestine for Planning and Aid Coordination and with Ms Armelle Lidou, Head of Unit of the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations on the EU's decision to resume financial support for Palestine

General documents - Statement by the Bureau on the EU’s decision to resume financial support for Palestine - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:55:42 GMT

Delegation for relations with Palestine

The Chair

Brussels, 15/06/2022

We warmly welcome the EU's decision to resume financial support for Palestine, which was suspended two years ago. During these two years, we have closely monitored the situation and worked hard to unblock EU financial assistance to the Palestinian people without any conditionality.

This decision reflects the European Parliament's position, expressed during the budgetary procedure in October 2021. The suspension has had dire consequences in sectors that are highly dependent on EU funding, such as healthcare, and the unblocking of the funding is a key development that contributes to the fulfilment of the Palestinian people's rights.

We fully support the announcement made yesterday by President Von der Leyen to the Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh, stressing that "the EU funds for 2021 can be disbursed rapidly. All the difficulties are gone. We have made clear that the disbursement will take place. [...] It is important to have this EU funding to support the people, especially the most vulnerable. It also helps create the right conditions for economic opportunities [..]".

Following the announcement by President Von der Leyen, Commissioner Várheliy declared that a second study of Palestinian textbooks will be financed by the European Commission. We remind the Commissioner that there already is a study and encourage him to instead channel this funding for humanitarian needs in Palestine.

EU financial assistance is crucial for Palestinians since it is present at all levels of Palestinian life, from supporting the establishment of the future Palestinian state and building new infrastructure across Palestine to supporting Palestinian institutions and civil society.

For further information contact:

Office of Mr Manu Pineda

(+32) 2 28 45815

* manu.pineda@europarl.europa.eu

EuroMed and Middle East Unit

* dpal@europarl.europa.eu

General documents - Online meeting of the Delegation 06 June 2022 (08:30-09:30) - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:17:16 GMT

Webex/in-camera meeting of the members of the DPAL cancelled mission to Palestine and of DPAL Bureau: Exchange of views with Ms Dorothee Klaus, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs West Bank, on Balata refugee camp

General documents - Online meeting of the Delegation 25 May 2022 (13:00-14:00) - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:17:08 GMT

Webex/in-camera meeting of the members of the DPAL cancelled mission to Palestine and of DPAL Bureau: Exchange of views with the President of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Mr. Naser Abu Baker

General documents - Online meeting of the Delegation 25 May 2022 (11:00-12:00) - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:17:00 GMT

Webex/in-camera meeting of the members of the DPAL cancelled mission to Palestine and of DPAL Bureau : exchange of views with EU Head of Delegation (Occupied Palestinian Territory, West Bank and Gaza Strip), Ambassador Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, on the latest developments in Palestine

General documents - Meeting of the Delegation 17 May 2022 (15:00-16:00) - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:16:50 GMT

Remote/webex (in camera, only for the members of the mission) : preparation of the Mission the delegation in the West Bank and in Gaza (23-27 May 2022)

General documents - 21 March 2022 - Meeting on trade from settlements in Occupied Palestian Territories - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:16:37 GMT

The delegation held a very interesting exchange of views on the labelling and trade of products from settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with :

× Ms. Sarah Saadoun, Senior Researcher on Business and Human Rights - Human Rights Watch

× Ms Nele Eichhorn, Head of Unit, DG TRADE.E2 - Southern neighbours, Middle East, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia

Video recording of the meeting

General documents - Meeting of the Delegation of 16 February 2022 - Delegation for relations with Palestine

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:16:22 GMT

During the meeting that took place on 16 February 2022, at 15h30 in Strasbourg, the Delegation held an exchange of views on settlers violence against the Palestinian population with:

Ms Sarit Michaeli, International Advocacy Officer for B'tselem
Mr Ori Givati, Advocacy director of Breaking the Silence

Access the recording of the meeting