'European Union will continue to put pressure on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza'

Vice President of the European Parliament Christel Schaldemose has dismissed suggestions that the continental body has not done enough to ensure more humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

Speaking to EWN on the sidelines of the G20 gathering of parliamentarians in Kleinmond on Thursday, Schaldemose said the European Union (EU) would continue to put pressure on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza.

Her remarks come as a flotilla of activists was intercepted by Israeli forces, detaining some South Africans aboard the ships, including former MP Mandla Mandela.

Schaldemose said that more aid should have been entering Gaza months ago.

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She said that the EU is prepared to review trade agreements with Israel as a means to apply pressure for more aid to flow into the area.

But sanctions against Israel don’t appear likely.

"I’m not sure that we can find a majority. You need unanimity in the EU to make that happen. I’m not sure we have that."

Schaldemose said that humanitarian activists have the right to try and assist Palestinians.

"Flotilla or not, I think what is the signal from them is that they want to help. And it’s also what the European Union wants to do."

The EU is the largest single international donor to the Palestinian people, having donated over 220 million Euros in aid so far this year.