EU Heads of Mission visit Hebron – EU press release/Non-UN document

Press Release
Jerusalem
PR/24/2015
15 DECEMBER 2015

European Union Heads of Mission visit Hebron

European Union Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah visited Hebron on 15 December 2015. They met the Governor, the Mayor, the Deputy Head of Mission for the Temporary International Presence in Hebron and representatives of Palestinian civil society and international organisations. The objective of this visit was to gain a first-hand impression of developments and to express concern at the deteriorating situation in Hebron. The EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah call for immediate measures to reduce tension, restore calm, and move quickly to restart a credible political process.

The group started the visit at the Governor's Office where they were briefed by Hebron Governor Kamel Hmeid and the Mayor Daoud Zaatari on the recent developments in Hebron. The diplomats visited then the Temporary International Presence in Hebron where they met the Deputy Head of Mission, Maggiore Stefano Nencioni. They were also briefed there by a delegation from the Hebron Chamber of Commerce. Later on, the group met representatives of a number of Palestinian civil society and international organisations at the Hebron Rehabilitation committee.

"The situation in Hebron is alarming and underlines the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis which must allow everybody to live in peace and dignity. Both sides have to do their utmost to de-escalate the situation, promote calm, and avoid actions which can further fuel tensions", said the EU Representative Ralph Tarraf on the occasion of the visit.

Contact:

The Office of the European Union Representative 

Shadi Othman, Tel:+972 (0) 2 541 5867, Mob: 0599 673 958

http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/westbank/documents/news/2015/20151215_press_release_eu_homs__hebron.pdf