Brussels, 04/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - Two European Parliamentary groups are on an information mission to the Middle East. From 3-6 February, the president of the EPP-ED group, Joseph Daul, will lead the first official delegation of his group to Israel and Palestine. This visit will provide an occasion for several EPP-ED MEPs to meet members of the government and parliament in Israel, as well as representatives from local authorities in Bethlehem. In Palestine, meetings have been planned with the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority and representatives from the Palestinian Legislative Council and Independent Commission for Civil Rights in Palestine. The second mission is a specific initiative of several MEPs from different political groups, led by Luisa Morgantini (GUE, Italy). The visit began on 2 February and will last till 7 February. It is more centred on the civil society and humanitarian role with high level contacts with UNRWA and human rights organisations. The delegation is expected to go to the Gaza Strip on 5 February (which until now has not been visited by European emissaries) then to Sderot and Israeli locality frequently aimed at by rockets fired from Gaza). Meetings with members of the Palestinian legislative Council, the Palestinian Authority and Knesset are planned. (F.B.)