Introduction

DPAL: Delegation for relations with Palestine

The European Parliament's standing Delegation for relations with Palestine is responsible for maintaining and developing Parliament's contacts with Palestine.

The Delegation informs the Parliament about Palestine, with an emphasis on EU policy and EU activities. In this way, the delegation helps fulfill the Parliament's democratic scrutiny responsibilities.

Meetings

The Delegation holds regular meetings with Palestinian and international interlocutors on EU-Palestinian relations, on political, economic, and human rights developments in Palestine, and on regional issues - first and foremost, the Middle East Peace Process.

Delegation meetings are usually open to the public and web-streamed on the European Parliament's website.
Meetings are sometimes organized in conjunction with relevant European Parliament committees and other standing delegations, such as the Delegation for relations with Israel.

Chair and Members

The Delegation's Chair is normally elected for a full parliamentary term, as are all delegation chairs and vice-chairs. The current chair is Manu Pineda, a Spanish Member from the GUE/NGL (Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left), who was elected on 26 September 2019, when the number of Members of the Delegation was set at 18 permanent Members.


Peace Process

On the issue of the Peace Process, the European Parliament remains a strong proponent of a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

Trips to Palestine

Members of the Delegation regularly travel to Palestine to meet with their counterparts from the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the Palestinian authorities, community leaders and representatives of international and civil society organisations.

Meetings with the Palestinian Legislative Council are currently held regularly in the West Bank due to the difficulties encountered by some PLC Members in travelling to Brussels or Strasbourg.

Missions include parliamentary scrutiny of projects implemented through EU aid, such as schools and shelters.

The Delegation and the Blockade of Gaza

The situation on the ground has become even more delicate with the blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007. The Delegation regularly endeavours to gain access to Gaza, with little success in recent years.

In a 2015 resolution, the European Parliament reiterated its call for an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip and for the urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation of the area, following the war with Israel in the summer of 2014.

The resolution condemns the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, which violates international humanitarian law and undermines the viability and prospects of the two-state solution.

Parliament has also called for Palestinian unity.