Dr. Bernard Sabella:

I agree with Deputy Eric Byrne that we have a problem in Palestine. We do not hide our problems. The problem is that we are divided. The division is costing us solidarity and causing the lack of developing a Palestinian plan of action that would further strengthen our presence in the international arena.

As I said, the problem with the elections is also true with the division between Fatah in Ramallah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. Regional and international players are actively pursuing the division of Palestinians into this and that group. I was in Brussels with Mr. Azzam al-Ahmad, the Ramallah Fatah group's chief negotiator with Hamas. Whenever our President, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, tries to approach the Hamas camp, there is always a problem with Hamas, in that it does not want to go forward and subscribe to what all us Palestinians subscribe to. We need to find a solution to the problem. It is very important. Our Arab brothers can help us with it. They can listen to the Irish Parliament saying Palestinians need to unite. I ask the committee members to mention this as an important policy requirement whenever they talk to representatives of Arab states. Although there is a will among us to come back together, the intervention of some states in the region prevents us from doing so.

On the witnesses, I must mention a special group administered by the World Council of Churches, namely, the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Peace in Israel and Palestine, EAPPI. Maybe the committee referred to it. I always see these people at checkpoints in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Hebron and elsewhere, where there is much tension. They wear jackets with their EAPPI symbols. They are witnessing, taking note and, eventually, reporting to church groups and others in Europe, the US, Canada and elsewhere including Australia and New Zealand. They are doing a good job and are to be commended. Again, it is a kind of solidarity with the Palestinian people and it also reflects the need for peace and justice in our region.

How can we restart the peace process? I am at a loss. I do not know how. We appeal to Israel to move. Problems include the US support to Israel. Although Mr. John Kerry tried so much to open up possibilities and opportunities for renewed negotiations, now even the Obama Administration recognises that we cannot do anything before the end of Mr. Obama's term in office.