Dutch gov't parties discuss Gaza Strip with Israeli ambassador, Palestinian representative

Government parties D66 and ChristenUnie are in talks with the Israeli ambassador and the representative of the Palestinian territories in the Netherlands about creating a direct connection between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan, NOS reports.

The two parties want Minister Stef Blok of Foreign Affairs to take the initiative in starting talks with Israel and the Palestinians about a corridor for buses and trucks, among other things. They believe that such a connection will lead to access to medical care, family reunification and trade for the people in Gaza.

"Hopefully this can contribute to the breaking the current spiral of violence between Gaza and Israel", ChristenUnie parliamentarian Joel Voordewind said, according to the broadcaster. He wants more freedom of movement for the inhabitants of Gaza. Voordewind believes that a Dutch initiative may be successful, because the Netherlands previously provided scanners that improved the controls of goods entering Gaza.

Israel and Palestine already singed for such a connection in the Oslo Accords of 1993. The topic is frequently raised by politicians from other countries as a start to resolving the conflicts in the area. But so far it hasn't happened.