Plaid MEP Jill Evans is calling on the EU to play a stronger, more independent role in promoting peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis by ending the occupation as she prepares to visit the region with a group of MEPs next week.

The visit, which includes meetings and a visit to the Gaza strip, comes at a critical time. In recent days, people in Gaza have broken through the Israeli blockade of the territory to cross to Egypt for essential supplies, aid agencies are warning of a humanitarian crisis if the blockade is maintained.

Also this week, MEPs debated the issue and strongly criticised the EU for failing to stand up to US foreign policy. The European Union is a member of the so-called Quartet responsible for promoting the Middle East Peace Process, along with Russia, the US and UN.

Speaking before leaving for Palestine, the Plaid Cymru MEP said:

"The plight of Palestinians living in the Gaza strip is of desperate concern and I hope to get a first hand view of the situation next week. People in Gaza are deprived of basic resources like electricity, clean water, medicine and food. Gaza has become one huge prison.

"It is disappointing that the EU, as a major aid donor in the region, is failing to take a stronger line on the Israeli blockade of the territory. This six month long blockade was made worse by the total border closure imposed by Israel earlier this month.

"This is collective punishment and illegal under international law."