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2pm, 30 January 2009
Israeli Embassy
2 Palace Green,
London W8 4QB

The UK’s two Green Euro-MPs will hand deliver a letter to the Israeli Embassy in London today (30 January), demanding a full refund of EU aid, estimated to be at least 53 million euros, spent on Gaza’s now devastated infrastructure over the past ten years.

In the wake of the Israeli army’s violent offensive on the Gaza Strip, Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East, and Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, are to call on the Israeli government to reimburse the European Union for the financial assistance it has provided to Gaza to ensure access to electricity, healthcare and sanitation, as well as spending on hospitals and schools.

Dr Lucas MEP said: “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. 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?

“The Green MEPs believe that the Israeli government, as the body responsible for the recent damage to Gaza’s infrastructure – already rendered fragile by the ongoing Israeli blockade – should foot the bill."

Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London, added: “Alongside the refund of EU aid, Israel must also lift the blockade on Gaza, which prevents the Palestinian people from building an independent, thriving economy, and gaining access to vital services. Hamas must also fully maintain the ceasefire to allow a sustainable peace process to begin.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For further details, interviews or photographs, please contact Melissa Freeman on 0207 407 9935 / 07950 382149 or Georgina Bloomfield on 020 7407 6280 / 07988 790889.