Sunday 17 January 2010

Haneyya: We do not mind any party overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza



[ 17/01/2010 - 09:46 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya stated Saturday that his government has no objection to any regional or international party supervising the reconstruction of the post-war Gaza Strip.

“We do not mind that the UN and the European or Arab states form a committee for the reconstruction of Gaza and supervise it,” Haneyya said during his meeting with the visiting European delegation in Gaza city.

He pointed to the enormity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and his government’s attempt to open up avenues for dialog with the major powers, but to no avail.

The premier also noted that his government does not oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.

The premier hailed the visit of the European delegation as a historic step and the efforts made by the European campaign to end the siege to alleviate the suffering of Gaza people.

For his part, head of the delegation Gerald Kaufman expressed his dismay and regret that the Palestinian Authority (PA) failed miserably in achieving peace, security and prosperity for its people.

Kaufman also condemned the steel wall being built by Egypt on its borders with Gaza as a wall of shame and castigated the international boycott of the Palestinian government in Gaza, saying that this government is legitimate and came through democratic elections approved by all parties.

He stressed the need to prosecute Israeli war criminals who killed civilians, women and children in Gaza, affirming that any attempt to disrupt the prosecution and arrest of those criminals in Europe or America would be stopped.

Later, the European delegation which includes 56 lawmakers and officials left Gaza on Saturday evening after touring several areas destroyed by the Israeli brutal war.

For his part, MP Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the popular committee against the siege, said in a press statement that this delegation did not come to visit Gaza only, but to activate the reconstruction of Gaza and relay the Palestinian demands to the international community.

Khudari added that the delegation admired the patience and steadfastness of Gaza people despite the devastating war and the four-year blockade, affirming that the delegation pledged to work on pressuring their governments into ending the siege on Gaza.

River to Sea
 Uprooted Palestinian

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