A member of the Development Committee of the European Parliament - the Committee dealing with humanitarian aid Romanian MEP Corina Cretu spoke on January 7 to New Europe about her trip to Israel and the Gaza strip tomorrow morning proclaiming “the European Parliament is not doing enough on this humanitarian crisis.”

Speaking earlier in the day at the Group of the European Socialists she had underlined the need for European Union's institutions to be more actively involved not only in trying to reach a truce but also in supporting the civilian population, unjustly hurt by the military conflict.

The trip organised by Israeli officials in the midst of the attacks and ground artillery seems to be an act showing their frustration explained the MEP “about the blame which is being putting on them so they have invited parliamentarians such as four MEP’s and four-five European Members of Parliament to explain the point of view of the Israeli side as to why they took very strong measures and so on.”

 

Asked if she felt that there was any explaining for all the civilian deaths so far she was categorical “No -  I do not think it’s justified in any way.”

“To kill children is unacceptable,” said the MEP

 “Hamas is … a terrorist organisation and they bear responsibility for their actions, they were elected into the national parliament but afterwards they did not act as a political force,” she explained highlighting the lack of strength and foundationin the region that has led to the situation seen today.

She reiterated however that no matter what the causes “There is no explanation for killing civilians – not one justification,  it is a tragedy and we the international community are not speaking out enough.” 

In terms of her main concern which is focused on humanitarian aid MEP Cretu was “surprised by discussions on proportionality – when we speak in terms of proportionality on aid this is not right,  all human beings, should defend human beings.”

“Up until now what I’ve seen on TV are only women and children and not so many terrorists,” she said.

Before organizing herself for the trip, to which she admitted she was slightly nervous about she finally shared that the European Parliament must push the EU to do much more on the humanitarian point of view and what has been done until now? Commissioner (Louis) Michel – from a humanitarian aid point of view should be active.”

“The humanitarian crisis is real, and in politics and territorial disputes the blame game could go on for many yeas but many problems very important to focus humanitarian crisis – we should find a solution now.”

She compared the aid situation in Africa where much money is being given but in this region that is considered Europe “especially for the children almost 90 children have perished but nobody is saying anything, in Palestine on Gaza last night it was 0 degrees it’s winter, no one is helping them. It was good that the government of Israel opened today a humanitarian corridor but is only a few hours per day, it’s not enough. There are 

reserves in the budget we should use for this purpose, humanitarian assistance with doctors, medicines and aid,” the Romanian MEP said.

The Delegation members will meet Israeli ministers of Defence and of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the Knesset - Israeli Parliament - and Benyamin Netanyahu, leader of the opposition.  On the delegation's agenda are also visits to places situated in the close vicinity of Gaza, where Members of the European Parliament will discuss the local situation with the Israel Army's spokesperson, mayors and locals.

Closing off Cretu looked towards the future “after the bombardments stop we need to find a way for the population of Palestine to find long term development, they are a very poor region that is influenced by extremists, what they need are jobs and  income stability.”