Brussels, 25/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - A group of ten MEPs went to Israel and Palestine on 19-22 February to examine the situation on the ground and the consequences of the construction of the wall in Palestinian territory. On Wednesday in Brussels, they provided an insight into their impressions. British Conservative Roy Perry, who pointed out that he was a member of "Conservative Friends of Israel" was keen to point out that this was "a serious piece of construction", which in certain places was on the "green line" and most often in Palestinian territory. Perry also underlined that the cost of the wall, USD 3.4 bn. Perry pointed out that 60% of Palestinians had less than USD a day but firmly condemned the suicide attacks perpetrated on Sunday in Jerusalem. He called on his Israeli friends to respect international law if they wanted aid from the international community. Asked about the reasons used by Israel to justify the building of the wall in Palestinian territory, Perry and hi colleagues explained that the answer was still the same: to stop attacks. In reality, noted Perry, the "wall is there to protect the settlements". Luisa Morgantini (GUE, Italy) stressed the impact of the wall on the daily lives of Palestinians, who no longer have access to certain services or even their fields. Ms Morgantini said that there were social and ecological consequences, who noted the destruction of thousands of olive trees where the wall has been built. She also condemned attacks against Israeli civilians. Belgian Socialist Véronique de Keyser interpreted the wall as a factor for increasing misunderstanding between the two communities which were incapable of communicating to each other. "the wall encircles the villages and towns kilometres form the border", pointed out Irish Socialist Proinsias De Rossa, who said that he did not understand how they could criminalise all the people in this way.