Minister Shaheen Welcomes a Delegation from the Socialist Party in the European Parliament

Today, Dr. Varsen Shaheen, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Socialist Party in the European Parliament at the Ministry’s headquarters. The delegation included Ms. Evin Incir, Permanent Rapporteur on Palestine and Member of the European Parliament from Sweden; Mr. Giacomo Filibeck, Secretary-General of the Party of European Socialists from Italy; and Ms. Hana Moro, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of the European Parliament from Spain.

Dr. Shahin discussed with the delegation the alarming developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasizing the severity of the ongoing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, along with tens of thousands wounded or missing. She highlighted the widespread destruction of Gaza’s essential humanitarian infrastructure. The Minister also raised concerns over the relentless aggressions by Israeli forces and settler militias in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Dr. Shahin underscored the need to strengthen collaboration with international partners to halt Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, building on the international recognition and legal support that Palestine has garnered, including court rulings affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination.

Dr. Shahin further condemned the recent decision by the Israeli Knesset to ban UNRWA’s operations, stressing that this move would deprive large segments of the Palestinian population of critical services. She reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining financial support for UNRWA to uphold its vital role, especially given the severe humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians. The Minister urged the European delegation to press Israel to comply with international law and intensify efforts to secure a ceasefire and end the aggression against the Palestinian people.

Ms. Evin Incir, head of the delegation, expressed the European Socialist Party’s commitment to supporting efforts to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reaffirming their dedication to ongoing financial support for UNRWA and its international mandate as mandated by UN resolutions.