Palestinian people need freedom of movement if aid to be effective - says MP

10.28.50am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 7th Feb 2008

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce has called for the international community to take effective action to ease the blockade of Gaza and movement restrictions in the West Bank as an essential first step if aid pledged is to mean anything.

Speaking in Parliament at a cross-party event alongside the Foreign Secretary and William Hague MP, Mr Bruce who chairs the House of Commons International Development Committee, stood out in acknowledging that international donations were ineffective given the current crisis in Gaza. He called for greater cooperation and willingness by the international community to find a solution to the Middle East peace process.

Mr Bruce said:

"They say the darkest time is the hour before dawn, and right now things are looking quite dark- in Gaza in particular.

"The $7.4bn international donor commitment will count for little unless the physical and economic blocks are removed to allow the funding to be used effectively. Money has no value if people have no freedom of movement.

"It is ironic that the next stage of the development conference will be held in Bethlehem, a city cut off entirely by a wall.

"Whilst Annapolis provided the first signs of light for a resolution in the Middle East it is imperative that the peace process finds a meaningful conclusion so that aid and reconstruction in the region can finally begin."

ENDS