I have just returned from my trip to the West Bank and below is a short report which outlines my activities while I was there, and the impressions I gained from some of my meetings during my four day stay in the occupied Palestinian territories from 14-17 March 2008.

Birzeit University

I was there primarily at the invitation of Birzeit University's Law Institute, near Ramallah, to give a lecture on EU law and the work of the European Parliament's Legal Affairs committee.

However, I was also able to undertake a further series of meetings and visits. Particularly I met with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mr Salam Fayyed, and two of his Ministers, the Regional Governor of Qalqilia, the Mayor of Hebron, three members of the Palestine Legislative Council, local village Councillors, Chamber of Commerce representatives and members of the Palestinian Bar Association based in Ramallah.

Arising out of these meetings and trips there are a number of practical examples which give a flavour of the current situation in the West Bank. This area of the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) does not receive as much attention by the media due to the more dramatic events which take place in Gaza, and between Gaza and Israel.

At the Law Institute of the University of Birzeit I was given a presentation of the work that their academics are doing assisting what the EU would term a better legislation project; helping catalogue and integrate their various legal sources to provide an on-line working tool for legislators and lawyers. They are also providing much-needed training in public administration. In stark contrast to the positive and forward looking atmosphere that was presented to me by staff and students alike, I have subsequently been advised that since January 2008, eight Birzeit University students and one employee have been arrested by the Israeli army. They are being held under a system of administrative detention - essentially arrest and detention without charge.

Access to Justice

I also met with a number of representatives of the Palestinian Bar Association, all of whom had various stories to tell about the difficulties lawyers have in trying to represent clients adequately. This is due to the daily restrictions of movement along roads across the West Bank. Either they had to apply for individual permission to travel from the Israeli authorities which seems to be fraught with difficulties and dissuasive of any right of movement, such that many do not even try or, having got permission, experience delays at checkpoints which mean that they arrive too late to represent clients in court. The whole situation seems to be entirely capricious and without proper respect for the rights of the defence in legal proceedings.

Hebron

In Hebron, I met with Mr Khaled Osaily, the Mayor, and then visited the old city centre with his advisor. As a result of a new and positive scheme undertaken by the city authorities they are managing to get some of the stallholders to return to their shops in the old market area. This is beginning to bear fruit and allow some return to normality, although a large part remains closed and is known locally as the Ghost Town.

Over 1000 shops shops remain closed in the market of the historical old city centre

Again, in contrast I was shown a concrete road block on either side of the main thoroughfare at the entrance to the market. I was told this obstruction, and its removal, had been discussed apparently constructively with the local Israeli Commander, yet despite there seeming to be no good security reason for it remaining in place it was still there. Even small gestures such as removing this could make a lot of difference on the ground.

Qalqilia

In the north west, I visited Qalqilia; a town encircled by the 'wall'. I met with local elected members and other city representatives. We had to enter the city on foot, because of the Israeli check point which had apparently been re-established in recent months. During my visit, shots were fired and we were told that there was an on-going raid by Israeli troops to effect arrests. Again, we were told this was an increasing phenomenon in recent weeks. We made a visit to a further check point, between the town and one of its outlying villages, through which workers and school children have to pass twice daily.

School children and teachers have to cross this checkpoint twice a day to go to school

The local Member of Parliament, Mr Waleed Assaf accompanied us. He and his colleagues are unable to cross the 'wall' to speak to those whom they represent and who have elected them; I was told at that at election time they were obliged to arrange a meeting across the barbed wire. This is indeed a strange version of democracy. Equally, to demonstrate the strangle hold that the 'wall' has over the economy and well being of the town, I was given figures indicating that over a given period (not so long ago) they used to import 15 tonnes of wheat for bread making and over the same period that is now down to a mere 1.5 tonnes.

A local Councillor explains the difficulties he has in representing the people of Azzun Atmeh

East Jerusalem

I concluded my visit with a briefing at the United Nations Humanitarian Office in East Jerusalem which of course monitors the situation on the ground. In their view the situation has got worse, not better, since Annapolis last November. This would appear to be born out by my own limited experiences cited above.

The Wall cutting through Abu Dis in East Jerusalem

Despite what I saw, all those people with whom I met retained an amazing sense of resilience and willingness to keep going and try to build something in what are clearly very difficult circumstances. However, they all reiterated two clear messages: things are not getting any better since Annapolis, and unless there is some clear progress on the Israeli side then Palestinians will lose all faith in any possible peace process.

Above all they are waiting for the EU to play a strong and fair role. Specifically, that role should involve upholding our own values in relation to respect for international law, democracy and freedom of movement.

I was also given the clear impression that there is felt to be probably a two month window of opportunity now for progress to be made, or the situation will deteriorate dramatically.

Diana Wallis MEP

March 2008