Politics often seems like an abstract term, referring to something that ‘others’ do, that has unclear direct impacts on people, communities, systems. Political is Personal makes that link however, giving a voice to women directly and daily affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, showing how those ’big’ decisions have real, everyday consequences on normal lives, regardless of borders and walls.

Jean was delighted to host this important exhibition, an initiative by Sarah Arnd Linder which involves in-depth interviews with Israeli and Palestinian women in which they safely and freely share how their lives have been affected by the realities of this conflict. While the conflict has been analysed in great details from many perspectives, rarely are women who live this dispute given the space and opportunity to speak about the personal effects of this long-standing struggle.

Speaking at the official opening of the exhibitio​n, Jean said​: ​“I am honoured to host such an important exhibition that brings into the Parliament the voices of those who are not often heard. To Sarah I say​ ‘Please go back to these women and tell them: your voice has been heard, here in the European Parliament​’​. And let us not forget the ongoing conflicts in other parts of the world and especially the Syrian war, which so desperately need to be solved.”

The creator of the project, Sarah Arnd Linder, said:​“I’ve been asked if I have chosen only women who could tell horrendous stories, to shock people. But actually there’s no need to look for specific women as the tragedy and the despair is widespread.”

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This is a letter signed by all three of the UK’s Green MEPs and submitted to The Guardian for publication. It wasn’t published, but here is the text:

To the Editor:

As the UK’s three Green MEPs, we will be voting in favour of recognising Palestine in a vote scheduled today (Wednesday, December 17) in the European Parliament.

For too long, Palestine has received mixed messages from Europe. The EU remains the single largest donor of foreign aid to Palestinians, yet it fails to take any meaningful action to stop Israel from breaching international law and human rights.

For 47 years Palestinians have been locked into an occupation which has denied them the right to self-determination – a situation all too reminiscent of South African apartheid and which has resulted in so much bloodshed.

Israeli oppression continues apace as the Government embarks on what has been described as the “biggest appropriation of Palestinian land in 30 years”. We believe a vote in favour of recognising Palestine will represent a vital step on the long road towards full Palestinian statehood and a viable two-state solution necessary for the eventual peace of the region.

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South East England
Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London
Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for South West England

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LONDON’S Green MEP Jean Lambert has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza – and added her name to a letter demanding David Cameron immediately to stop UK-based firms selling weapons to Israel and all armed groups operating in the region.

Ms Lambert, who is a patron of Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign, also called for the EU to suspend its ongoing trade and cultural co-operation deal with Israel.

She said: “The EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until the ongoing siege of Gaza is abandoned: restrictions on the Gazan economy are forcing a ‘tunnel’ economy on Gaza – and as long as the EU continues to trade with Israel it remains complicit in that.”

“Children in Gaza are being traumatised – and civilians have nowhere to run to when the Israeli missiles fall. We must have an immediate cease-fire and, while I welcome the growing voices from within Israel calling for an end to this assault, I support the UN Commission of Inquiry which will look at all violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, by all sides, and I hope those found to be responsible will be brought to justice.”

Ms Lambert spoke at a central London rally on July 26th organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign calling for an end to the fighting and human rights violations in Gaza.

She added: “We really need a long-term solution that allows all, whether they consider themselves to be Palestinian, Israeli, or neither, to live peacefully side-by-side in one of earth’s most densely-populated regions.

“The seemingly endless cycle of bloody conflict and fragile cease-fires offers no stable, peaceful future. This latest round of death and injury was sparked, apparently, by the murders of four young men, committed by those who do not want peace. Countless other deaths is not a fitting memorial.

“But with so many dead and injured, an immediate cease in hostilities must be the priority: and a complete end to all arms sales and military support to the region. I have written to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and, today, to Prime Minister David Cameron, to demand exactly that.”

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You can read it on their website here, or, in full, below.

The true character of the Coalition’s immigration and asylum policies can be seen in the 2014 Immigration Act, which requires landlords, employers, and doctors to run checks on the status of migrants who access their services or are seeking employment. The UN has warned that the Act could create a “climate of ethnic profiling”, stigmatising vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees, leaving them unable to secure a place to live or open a bank account.

The Government’s closed-door approach has already resulted in Britain accepting just 54 highly vulnerable people from Syrian refugee camps despite the fact that 2.8 million people have fled the region in desperate search of safety. If David Cameron genuinely wants to help those affected by disasters, including the conflict in Gaza or the brutal intolerance displayed by Isis in Iraq  he would display a sense of pride that Britain should be considered a place of refuge for troubled communities, rather than locking down our borders while watching the death-toll climb.

 
Jean Lambert, MEP for London (Green)

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In a letter to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond Jean, who is a patron of the Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign,  said she supported the Amnesty International campaign to stamp out UK arms being used in the current conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Israel Arms Sales July 2014

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In the wake of the Israeli army’s violent offensive on the Gaza Strip, Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London and Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East, called on the Israeli government to reimburse the European Union for the financial assistance it has provided to Gaza to ensure access to electricity, healthcare and sanitation, as well as spending on hospitals and schools.

Caroline Lucas MEP said:

“In a matter of days, the Israeli army’s aerial bombardment of Gaza and the ground offensive have destroyed much of the EU funded infrastructure. On behalf of EU taxpayers, we ask, what plans has the Israeli government made to repay this investment in Gaza, either directly to the EU or to the Palestinian people?

“The Green MEPs believe that the Israeli government, as the body responsible for the recent damage to Gaza’s infrastructure – already rendered fragile by the ongoing Israeli blockade – should foot the bill.”

Jean Lambert MEP added:

“Alongside the refund of EU aid, Israel must lift the blockade on Gaza, which prevents the Palestinian people from building an independent, thriving economy, and gaining access to vital services. Hamas must also fully maintain the ceasefire to allow a sustainable peace process to begin.”

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