END THE EUROPEAN UNION DOUBLE STANDARD

As Israel continues shelling civilians in Gaza adding an 8 year old girl to the death toll which has now exceeded 15 since Friday, the EU endorses a decision to halt aid saying it cannot fund the democratically elected Palestinian government unless it renounces violence and recognises Israel.

The European Commission and the US is punishing the Palestinian people for democratically electing a government of which it disapproves. Whilst refusing to condemn Israel who continues to shell Gaza from which it supposedly withdrew in August last year.

Hamas has repeatedly shown its readiness for dialogue towards a just peace. In a recent letter to Kofi Annan, Dr. Mahmoud Zahhar the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated:

“I would also like to assure Your Excellency of the readiness of our cabinet for serious and constructive dialogue and our readiness to work with the United Nations and countries of the world to promote international peace and security through the achievement of peace and stability in our region, based on a just and comprehensive solution.”

Yet despite this the international community continues to place demands on the Palestinians and asks nothing of Israel, where a government has been elected which refuses to acknowledge Palestine’s right to exist and promotes the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land. Why is the international community demanding obedience from an occupied people while saying nothing about the killing of dozens of Palestinians?

By withholding funds to the PA, the EU is backing the declaration of the incoming Israeli government to tighten the economic siege on Palestine.

The UN made it clear in a recent report that as 25% of all Palestinians are dependent on the salary of a PA employee any withholding of funds would create a humanitarian crisis. Already 64% of Palestinians are living below the poverty line.

Clearly the EU, with our own government leading the attack, would rather starve the Palestinians than press Israel to obey international law.

The governments of Britain and the EU are shamefully turning their backs on the Palestinian people.

Where are the demands for an end to Israeli violence? Where are the sanctions on Israel for flouting international law? Why is Britain continuing to arm Israel?

We demand an end to double standards, recognition of the democratically elected Palestinian government and a resumption of desperately needed aid.

Betty Hunter
General Secretary
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
020 7700 6192

info@palestinecampaign.org

www.palestinecampaign.org