<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[European parliamentarians land in Gaza Strip for&nbsp;visit]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>[ 24/07/2011 &#8211; 03:42 PM ]</p>
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<p>GAZA, (PIC)&#8211; A high-profile delegation of European parliamentarians has landed in the Gaza Strip on Sunday on a visit set to last several days.</p>
<p>The MEPs, headed by the president of Britain&#8217;s Labor party Tony Lloyd, wish to learn the effects the ongoing siege has had on the region, organizers say.</p>
<p>The delegation consists of 17 MEPs from various political parties, including liberals, socialists, and the Green party.</p>
<p>They entered the Strip through the Rafah crossing on Gaza&#8217;s border with Egypt, said the organizing body, the Council for European Palestinian Relations.</p>
<p>The CEPR said the delegation&#8217;s purpose is to gain more awareness of the &#8221;humanitarian crisis&#8221; in the Gaza Strip in light of Israel&#8217;s ongoing blockade, with a focus on the effects of Israel&#8217;s most recent aggression and the restrictions enforced on local fishermen and the wastewater dilemma. They also have an interest in learning Egypt&#8217;s role on the Rafah border crossing, the only land outlet open to the Strip.</p>
<p>The delegation&#8217;s head Tony Lloyd said the delegation hopes to give the Palestinians in Gaza hope for a better life and future and to help bring their lives back to normal.</p>
<p>Sources from the visiting party said that world public opinion justly stood by the Palestinians and that the time had come for recognition of a Palestinian state.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7G6eHie%2fVup5qFUE8PYzYT9vUFHSjJwICurAP8WFse98wiENbZpFgYopTdgUOlqCnvLXEC7%2fmlEwi%2bRhHTXQxWHP4V2KkC1HtbYApaTb3xcc%3d">European parliamentarians land in Gaza Strip for visit</a>.</p>
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