Israel prevents Cypriot Parliamentarians from meeting with Arafat

Cypriot parliamentarians have stressed that the Israeli occupation forces returned a parliamentary delegation composed of 14 parliament members, who were intending to meet with the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat from Tel Aviv airport to their country.

The Cypriot parliament members stayed for five hours at the Hall of Bin Gureon airport in Tel Aviv before orders were issued to expel them and to stamp their passports to that preventing their entry.

Several members of the Cypriot delegation stressed that the Israeli authorities treated them badly and interrogated them as criminals. Parliament member Androlla Vassilio said in a press statement that she felt for the first time in her life of " psychological terror." Meantime, member of the parliament Marios Matsakis of the Dicko party said that what happened to them is considered an example of fascism and terrorism of the government of Sharon.

Other parliamentarians said that this incident will be debated at the parliament and that they will ask the Cypriot government to file an official complaint.