British peers on fact-finding mission to Jerusalem

Three members of Britain’s House of Lords have arrived in Jerusalem on a fact-finding mission intended to look into the proposed expulsion of Palestinian parliamentarians by Israel. The visit is the first international initiative undertaken after the Israeli occupation authorities issued orders for the expulsion of three Palestinian legislators from the city.

Lord Nazir Ahmad, Lord Raymond Hylton and Baroness Jenny Tonge held a brief meeting and press conference with the Palestinian parliamentarians who have taken refuge in the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Jerusalem. Shortly after their arrival this morning (Friday, 9 July) the peers visited Silwan village where 22 Palestinian residents have been told their homes are going to be demolished to make way for an Israeli leisure park.

Speaking at a press briefing with the visitors in the Red Cross compound Dr Khalid Abu Arafa thanked the peers for their efforts; noting that they had come at a critical time as the Israelis escalate their campaign of house demolitions and expulsions of Palestinians.

Abu Arafa added the visit will encourage and boost their efforts to rally international support to resist the Occupier’s illegal policies.

Shortly before leaving Heathrow airport yesterday, Lord Ahmed said that the delegation was supporting the rights of the elected Palestinian parliamentarians to remain in the city of their birth. He pointed out that there was no legal justification for the Israeli Minister of Interior to revoke the citizenship of the three Jerusalem MPs and a former minister, in flagrant violation the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits the deportation of Protected Persons from Occupied Territory.

“We are supporting our fellow parliamentarians,” said Lord Ahmed, “and I am urging the British government and other European nations take the necessary steps to apply pressure on the Israeli government to stop this violation of human rights.”

Commenting on the issue of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held in Gaza, whose release has been linked to the Israeli government’s decisions of late, Lord Ahmed added, “We all want to see the release of the Israeli soldier from Gaza but securing the release of 10,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention centres is of paramount importance.”

For Press Queries in London:
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