MEPs defy EU by meeting Palestinian PM

A parliamentary delegation today broke with EU policy by meeting Palestinian prime minister Ismail Hanieh.

Both the European commission and council continues to refuse to meet with any Hamas member of the new unity government, claiming they are yet to be satisfied about the party’s compliance with EU demands that they renunciate violence and recognise Israel.

An official, all-party delegation of the parliament is due to meet with Hanieh in Gaza today.

The group includes UK Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies who last year was the first British representative to meet with president Mahmood Abbas after the EU withdrew direct funding from the Palestinian authority.

“A year ago I described it as madness for the EU not to respect the result of democratic elections in Palestine and refuse even to talk to members of the then Hamas-led government,” said Davies.

“The situation has deteriorated hugely since then but the formation of the unity government offers a ray of hope that must be seized.

“Members of the delegation want to question Hanieh directly about the policies of the government he leads.”

Speaking before the trip, Davies said he also plans to ask whether there is new information about kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who he met in Gaza last year.

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