EU officials in Palestine call for end to Gaza ‘closure’

The European Union Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah, in the occupied Palestinian territory, have urged an end to the “closure” of the Gaza Strip.

The call was included in a statement published on Wednesday, welcoming “recent developments regarding intra-Palestinian reconciliation”.

Describing Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s recent visit to Gaza as an “an important and positive signal that the Palestinian Authority is ready to assume its responsibilities in Gaza”, the EU diplomats’ statement urges “all parties involved in the reconciliation process to engage in good faith, to allow the Palestinian Authority to fully resume its government functions in Gaza”.

The EU Heads of Mission also stressed “the need for unimpeded humanitarian access for all, including EU bodies and EU Member States, and a fundamental change to the political, security and economic situation in Gaza, including an end of the closure and a full opening of the crossing points, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.”

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