Israel called on to refund EU aid to Gaza
The two MEPs outside the Israeli embassy
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Friday, 30, Jan 2009 06:00
By Ian Dunt
Two leading Green MEPs have travelled to the Israeli embassy in London today to demand Israel refunds all EU aid spent on Gaza's infrastructure over the past decade.
The two women - Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East and leader of the Green party, and Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London – said at least €53 million (£47.7 billion) had been spent on electricity, healthcare, sanitation, hospitals and schools since 1999.
Much of the Gaza Strip's infrastructure was devastated by the Israeli attack on the region during the tail-end of December and early January.
"In a matter of days, the Israeli army's aerial bombardment of Gaza and the ground offensive have destroyed much of the EU-funded infrastructure," Ms Lucas said.
"On behalf of EU taxpayers, we would like to ask, what plans has the Israeli government made to repay this investment in Gaza, either directly to the EU or to the Palestinian people?
"Green MEPs believe the Israeli government, as the body responsible for the recent damage to Gaza's should foot the bill."
Yesterday, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed off a debate at the Davos summit after expressing forceful opposition to the Israeli action.