Sponsored by
Cycle duo take campaign to EU parliament
A SHEFFIELD couple who cycled from London to Jerusalem to highlight the plight of Palestinians have addressed members of the European Parliament.
Steve and Melinda Pagden, of Meersbrook, who took part in the Peace Cycle ride in 2006, were among five cyclists who travelled to Brussels to present a 17,000-signature petition calling for the suspension of a trade agreement between the EU and Israel.
Steve, aged 49, a research and development engineer, said: "This is a contract which allows Israel privileged trading terms with EU countries conditional upon respect for human rights.
"The Peace Cycle believes that Israel is in serious breach of the terms of the Association Agreement."
The cyclists spoke to an audience of MEPs and parliamentary researchers about their own personal experiences in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, when they visited on their cycle ride.
Steve and Melinda also met Yorkshire MEPs Richard Corbett and Linda McAvan, and presented them with Sheffield's Palestine Solidarity Campaign mugs, depicting children's art from Gaza.
Steve told the MEPs: "In 2009, I cannot believe the recent events in Gaza. Still there has been no condemnation of Israeli action from my government or that the illegal settlement of Palestinian land still goes on.
"This silence of elected politicians in Europe is, for me, as crushing as the tanks and bulldozers. It is time for change."
He added: "It was good to travel all the way from Sheffield to Brussels, by car, boat, train and bicycle, enjoying our right to freedom of movement.
"This is just one of the rights that everyday we in Europe take for granted that are denied to the Palestinians."
Ms McAvan said: "It was great to meet Steve and Melinda and hear about their experiences in Palestine and their hard work in highlighting the plight of the Palestinian people.
"Labour MEPs have always been clear that there should be no upgrade of EU-Isreal relations until real progress is made on a lasting peaceful settlement."
Before visiting the European Parliament the peace cyclists staged a two-wheeled demonstration, riding from The Hague to Brussels, ending with a colourful procession through the streets of the Belgian capital.
What do you think? Add your comment below.
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
