Declaration on respect for humanitarian space in the Palestinian territories – Statement by European Commissioner Michel – European Commission press release/Non-UN document

IP/06/322

Brussels, 16 March 2006

Declaration by the European Commissioner Louis Michel on the respect for humanitarian space in the Palestinian Territories

I am sorry that once again humanitarian workers have been kidnapped, even if we can now be relieved that they have been promptly released.

I urge all parties, Israeli and Palestinian, to facilitate rather than hinder access to populations. Humanitarian workers must be able to continue their work in safety and deliver aid where it is needed.

Our European concept of humanitarian aid is to give direct assistance to people in a non-discriminatory and completely impartial way. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families benefit from the aid financed by the European Commission. Preventing humanitarian organisations from working, in effect deprives those populations from the aid that is crucial for their daily survival.

Humanitarian workers should never be targeted. The humanitarian space must be respected by all. Notwithstanding the political context, the European Commission's humanitarian department will continue striving to fulfill humanitarian needs in this region.