At least 90,000 Palestinians have lost their homes as a result of Israel`s war on Gaza, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has told the European parliament in France.

Abbas told politicians gathered in Strasbourg on Wednesday that Israeli blockades and illegal settlement expansion have continued, and called for Israel to answer for its activities.

We should no longer deal with Israel as a state above the law, above all accountability, above international law, Abbas said.

We should put an end to this policy. Israeli leaders should be held accountable for their violations of international and humanitarian law, he added, to applause from European parliament members.

Abbas` speech came shortly after he held talks with the president of the European parliament.

The Palestinian president, who also leads the Fatah party, met Hans Gert Pottering to discuss Palestinian reconciliation, the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East peace process.

Abbas` visit to Strasbourg is part of a European tour which will include visits to Britain, Italy, Turkey and Poland.