Derry Sinn Fein MEP hopes to gain entry to Gaza after delegation barred by Israelis

The Derry Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has demanded to be allowed access into Gaza after she and another 12 MEPS were refused entry to the region by the Israeli authorities.

Ms Anderson (pictured above), who is leading the delegation, has said she hopes that the Israeli authorities will overturn the decision and grant the group access.

“The Israeli government refused us, 13 MEPs from six countries, entry into Gaza on the grounds that our visit to the region is 'not directly concerned with the provision of humanitarian assistance'," she said.

"This beggars belief, considering that the horrific and harrowing humanitarian situation in Gaza is a direct result of Israel's 53-day military attack on the Gaza Strip.”

Ms Anderson said that she hopes the Israeli authorities will now review the decision so that the delegation can assess the situation in Gaza ‘first hand’.

"We want to go to Gaza to assess the situation on the ground first hand," she said.

"This would have enabled us to relay that information back to the European Parliament and push for greater provision of EU humanitarian aid to Gaza and an end to the blockade and occupation.

"We call on the Israeli authorities to overturn this decision and grant us access."