01 June 2010 – The South East’s new Green Euro-MP has urged the EU Foreign Commissioner to suspend a preferential trade agreement with Israel in response to the murders of nine pro Palestinian peace activists travelling to Gaza at the weekend.

In a letter to Commissioner Cathy Ashton, Keith Taylor MEP, who replaces Caroline Lucas following her election to the UK Parliament, said:

“I want to add my voice to the many calling for the EU to take immediate action against Israel for its unprovoked and disproportionate attacks on the Free Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla over the weekend.

“I am outraged by this display of aggression in international waters and welcome the EU’s call for an immediate independent enquiry. I would urge to the EU to go even further, however, and immediately suspend the EU Israel Association agreement.

“Israel has consistently breached the human rights clause of this agreement and its latest move should not be tolerated.”

Keith concluded: “We need actions as well as words from the EU to show that the international community deplores both the siege on Gaza and Israel’s attack on the Free Gaza flotilla.”

ENDS