The delegation visits the Nova music festival site, 9 March 2025COPENHAGEN, 12 March 2025 – A high-level delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, headed by Assembly President Pia Kauma (Finland), today concluded a visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank in which securing a safe and stable life for people living in the region was in focus.

In addition to President Kauma, the delegation included Vice-Presidents Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus), Luis Graca (Portugal), and Pere Joan Pons (Spain), as well as the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on the Mediterranean, Senator Pascal Allizard (France), and Secretary General Roberto Montella. The visit by the OSCE PA leadership was noted as a signal of the Assembly’s commitment to contributing to stability in the region.

Following a series of discussions with various stakeholders, the parliamentarians noted that both Israelis and Palestinians continue to live under a cloud of great insecurity, and that confidence- and security-building measures are urgently needed for the sake of the populations. A full release of hostages and a sustained ceasefire are priorities, they said.

The delegation met with the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Amir Ohana, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharen Haskel and other Israeli officials and civil society. In Israel they also visited areas near Gaza that were attacked by Hamas on 7 October 2023 together with the Head of the Israeli Delegation to the OSCE PA, Ram Ben Barak, as well as communities in the north of Israel evacuated due to rocket attacks from Hezbollah.

Meeting with the State Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Varsen Shaheen, Ramallah, 8 March 2025Earlier in the week in Ramallah the delegation met with Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian National Council Musa Hadid, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Varsen Shaheen, as well as humanitarian aid workers and civil society. In Jerusalem the Members also met with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, and discussed the impact of the conflict on faith-based communities in the region.

“The daily trauma for so many in this region is intolerable. Innocent civilians – Palestinians and Israelis – have suffered far too much in recent years. A return to political processes and people-centred dialogue must be a priority,” said Kauma.

The delegation extended sincere condolences to Israeli officials for the 7 October attacks, condemning the terrorist attacks. Delegation members also expressed concern about the humanitarian consequences of Israel’s actions in response to the attack.

“There can be no justification for the brutal actions of Hamas, intentionally targeting innocent civilians who were just going about their daily lives. The fact that hostages remain in captivity makes this an ongoing trauma for the Israeli people,” said Kauma. “But Israel’s response has also resulted in immense death and suffering among innocent Palestinians, and Israel should urgently facilitate humanitarian response. Their rights must be respected.”

There is a yearning for peace, stability and regular life among people in the region, they noted, urging renewed efforts to stop the cycle of violence. Delegation members stressed that extremists, most notably Hamas and Hezbollah, must not be allowed to continue manipulating the populations. They encouraged both Israelis and Palestinians to increase long-term efforts aimed at coexistence, with a particular focus on education.

The delegation also discussed the broader regional dynamic, including relations with neighbouring countries. In this context, Members also expressed serious concern about recent widespread killings of minorities in Syria.

Delegation members noted that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will continue to serve as an effective dialogue platform that can help to leverage diplomatic tools to support stability in the region, and welcomed Israel’s active participation as an OSCE Partner State. The situation in the Middle East was a priority topic during the Assembly’s recent Mediterranean Forum, in October 2024. President Kauma previously visited the region in September 2024.

Photos of this week's visit to the Middle East are available for public use on Flickr.