The Yemeni parliament Speaker Yahya al-Ra’i met on Sunday with Elena Yoncheva, a member of the European Parliament and of the Bulgarian Committee on Civil Liberties and Justice.
During the meeting, al-Ra’i expressed his best wishes to Yoncheva for her humanitarian efforts in Yemen, particularly regarding the welfare of Bulgarian crew members aboard an Israeli ship recently seized by Yemeni naval forces.
Al-Ra’i emphasised Yemen’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and the rights of its people.
He criticised the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, stating that the country has endured a decade of siege and aggression from a coalition led by the United States and European nations.
He highlighted the destruction of essential infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and homes, and drew parallels to the situation in Gaza, where he accused Israeli forces of similar violence.
He noted that some members of the European Parliament have condemned these actions, acknowledging the injustices faced by the Palestinian people.
Al-Ra’i called for greater international awareness of Yemen’s struggles and urged the global community to hold accountable those responsible for what he termed “war crimes” against both Yemen and Palestine.
He expressed disappointment over the lack of action from international parliaments regarding these issues and reaffirmed Yemen’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. He urged the global conscience to awaken to the violence against Palestinian civilians.
Deputy Speaker Abdulsalam Hashoul echoed these sentiments, calling for an official visit from members of the European Parliament to witness the devastation caused by the coalition’s actions in Yemen.
He criticised the European Parliament’s engagement with what he described as a “mercenary government” and expressed hope for a reassessment of their stance. Hashoul emphasised also that Yemen has a legitimate government based in Sana’a, which continues to function despite the ongoing conflict. He furthermore condemned the silence of European nations in light of recent violence against Lebanon.
Deputy Speaker Abdulrahman al-Jumaei highlighted the shared struggles of the Yemeni and Palestinian peoples, noting that Yemen has faced similar aggression due to its support for Palestine.
He pointed out the restrictions on Yemeni airports and ports, asserting that these actions violate international humanitarian laws.
The meeting underscored Yemen’s commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and raising awareness of the humanitarian crises affecting both regions. Deputy Speaker al-Jumaei emphasised that Yemen’s involvement in confrontations in the Red Sea aims to draw global attention to the plight of the Palestinian people and to halt Israeli aggression and the ongoing siege.
During her visit, MEP Elena Yoncheva expressed her gratitude for the warm reception she received in Yemen. Her mission focuses on delivering messages from the families of Bulgarian sailors detained in Yemen. She appreciated the opportunity to meet with the captain and chief assistant of the seized ship Galaxy Leader. Yoncheva underscored the importance of dialogue and negotiation in overcoming humanitarian challenges.
She reaffirmed her commitment to the Palestinian cause, highlighting the injustices faced by the Palestinian people and resonating with President al-Mashat’s remarks about the interconnectedness of regional injustices.
Addressing humanitarian needs, she stated she would convey the realities of the situation in Yemen to the European Parliament, reassuring that the Bulgarian sailors are in good condition and thanking Yemen for their treatment. Yoncheva also noted Bulgaria’s historical support for Palestine, being one of the first countries to recognize its statehood in 1988.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Speaker al-Ra’i extended an invitation to the President of the European Parliament and several members to visit Yemen, expressing hope they would witness firsthand the struggles faced by the Yemeni people due to the ongoing aggression and siege. He presented Yoncheva with documentary evidence detailing crimes committed by the coalition in Yemen, reinforcing the urgency of raising awareness about these issues
