Hannes Swoboda, President of the Socialist and Democrat Group in the European Parliament, today starts his one week visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. During his visit Hannes Swoboda will meet with political partners and representatives from the Israeli and Palestinian parties, including the Israeli Labour Party, Meretz and with the Fatah revolutionary council.

 

He will hold talks on the latest developments in the region and about how to strengthen relations between European, Israeli and Palestinian parties in the future.

 

 

"Despite the deadlock in negotiations on the peace process and the domestic political developments in Israel, it is important to build strong relations between our Group and our sister parties in the region.

 

"We regret the lack of progress in the peace-building process. Yet at such a critical moment, we must continue to focus on the only viable solution for peace, the two-state solution. This is the only alternative to the frozen conflict which has again and again erupted into violence."

 

 

"Following recent changes in the Arab world, a sustainable peace solution between Israel and Palestine is of ever greater importance. This would have a crucial impact on a long-lasting peaceful solution for the entire region."