As the situation in Gaza becomes more desperate, Welsh Euro-MP Jill Evans is returning there in a week's time to see the situation at first hand. The Heads of all the Churches in Jerusalem, European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and many organisations, including peace and human rights groups in Israel, are demanding an end to the Israeli siege which is causing untold misery and suffering. In Wales a vigil is being held tonight in Cardiff.

Jill Evans said today:

"The Israeli siege of Gaza is illegal collective punishment. It is against international law as well as being morally abhorrent. Vital supplies of electricity and fuel, water, food, medicines and other supplies have been cut off to the men, women and children living there. This is a human catastrophe. It is reported that over 65 people have died already because they have been refused medical treatment.

"We cannot just stand by and do nothing. I will be meeting and talking to people and reporting back to people in Wales on what we can do to help bring this terrible suffering to an end."

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Jill Evans will be in Palestine from Sunday 3 February to Thursday 7 February. As a member of the European Parliament's Delegation with the Palestinian Legislative Council she has visited Palestine many times.

The group will be based in Jerusalem and will hold meetings with: UN (UNRWA and OCHA), Members of the Knesset, Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Mayors of Hebron, Bethlehem and Nablus, and representatives of various Israeli and Palestinian NGOs.

Programme

Feb 3 - Tel Aviv
Feb 4 - Ramallah and Nablus
Feb 5 - Gaza
Feb 6 - Bethlehem and Hebron

Jill Evans MEP, Deputy President of Plaid Cymru, represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament.