WRITTEN QUESTION E-1981/01 by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Marco Galucci, a European Union aid worker arrested in and deported from Israel.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Israel, arrest, development worker, humanitarian aid, non-governmental organisation

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/87

The Commission points out that olive-oil production aid has enabled the fabric of rural society to be
maintained in many regions of the Community and has thus contributed significantly to combating
desertification. Certain types of olive groves, particularly those tended by organic methods, help to restore
degraded environments. Nonetheless, in view of the adverse effects that excessive intensification could have
on the environment, the Council has decided to take measures to curb new planting since 1998.

The Commission also draws attention to the obligations of Member States in relation to environmental
protection requirements laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1259/1999 of 17 May 1999 establishing
common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy (2) and it looks forward to
receiving information from the Member States concerned regarding the olive-oil sector by 30 September
2001. This information should include an analysis of the situation of land used for olive production, a
detailed description of the environmental measures contemplated in the light of the analysis and a detailed
description of any penalties decided.

There are currently no suitable means of checking aid granted on a flat-rate basis and there is therefore no
alternative to aid indexed to production. In June 2001 the Council decided that from 1 November 2003
the aid would be granted subject to the existence of aerial-photograph monitoring of the trees concerned,
which will open up several options for granting the aid.

(1) COM(2000) 855 final (fourth paragraph of point 1.3.1).
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 81 E/101)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1981/01

by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Marco Galucci, a European Union aid worker arrested in and deported from Israel

On 8 June 2001 Mr Marco Galucci, who is working on a Commission-funded humanitarian aid project,
was arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport and, although he was able to show clearly why he had come to Israel,
questioned for several hours. He was not allowed to telephone his consulate, his computer was searched,
his diskettes confiscated, and he was eventually sent back to Italy.

Will the Commission respond to the actions of the Israeli authorities, bearing in mind that this kind of
behaviour severely impedes the smooth running of Union-funded humanitarian projects to aid the
Palestinian population hard pressed by war?

What specific steps will it take?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

Following the incident that occurred to Mr Marco Gallucci, a humanitarian aid worker employed by the
Italian non governmental organisation (NGO) (cid:145)CRIC(cid:146), on 8 June 2001, the Commission(cid:146)s Delegation to the
State of Israel on 19 June sent a Note Verbale to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing strong
protest against
the unjustified behaviour towards a European citizen employed by an NGO whose
humanitarian project is entirely funded by the Commission and asked the Ministry(cid:146)s assistance to allow
Mr Gallucci(cid:146)s entry and facilitate his humanitarian mission.