Palestine – EU representatives finance investment projects in Gaza

Location: Gaza- Palestine

Language: Arabic

Voice: Natural

Duration: 00:05:51

Source: A24       

Restrictions: A24 Clients

Dateline: 11-05-2022

Storyline:

European Union representatives visited Gaza, today, Wednesday, to see the economic and humanitarian conditions, aiming to support the Palestinian private sector, by financing small-scale projects through the European Investment Bank.

They declared their solidarity and support for journalists after the killing of the Palestinian journalist and Al-Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Aqleh.

The delegation visited Al-Jazeera office in Gaza, offering condolences to its members for the loss of their colleague, and expressed their sadness to hear the news of her murder.

In their statements, the delegation members stressed that Gaza is on the agenda of the European Union.

Shot list:

• Soundbite (Sven Kuehn Von Burgsdorff – EU Representative in Palestine):
• Soundbite (Wael Al-Dahdouh – Director of Al-Jazeera office in Gaza):

“We hope that the European Union and all concerned institutions do their responsibilities and exert more effort in what has happened. Open an investigation, and hold those responsible for the killing of our colleagues accountable. In case the one responsible for the shooting escapes from punishment, any journalist of our colleagues will be under threat in all their places in the Palestinian, and the crime can be repeated.”

• Soundbite (Salah Abdul Aaty – Activist):

“The visit of some European countries’ representatives and representatives of international institutions to Gaza comes a year after the recent aggression on the Strip. Their visit coincides with the activities of World Press Freedom Day, the assassination of the journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh and the injury of her colleague Ali Al-Samudi, in a crime that is shameful to humanity. This visit also comes in the circumstances of extended siege, which the occupation authorities are trying to institutionalize, and in light of the threatening escalation in Jerusalem, Palestine in general, and Gaza in particular. This visit is of special importance because the European Union is expected to exert efforts to stop human rights violations.”

• Soundbite (Shadi Othman – Information Officer at the European Union Office):

“This important visit sends a message that Gaza and what is happening in it are important for the European Union and that the EU follows up on what will happen on the ground in all its dimensions. Today, we also announce that the European Investment Bank will provide funds that will directly contribute to opening new economic horizons and support companies and small enterprises in Gaza.”