Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Government, together with Ireland's partners in the EU, has repeatedly reaffirmed its position that the proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is to be welcomed so long as it takes place in conformity with the conditions endorsed by the European Council in March 2004. The Council noted five elements which are essential to make a Gaza withdrawal acceptable to the international community: it must take place in the context of the road map; it must be a step towards a two-State solution; it must not involve a transfer of settlement activity to the West Bank; there must be an organised and negotiated hand over of responsibility to the Palestinian Authority; and Israel must facilitate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza. There appears to be an increased likelihood that these criteria can be met.

In common with our EU partners and the wider international community, I welcomed the agreement which was reached at the Sharm-El-Sheikh summit for the cessation of violence and military activity by both sides. Such an end to the cycle of violence is indispensable to the prospects of a return by both sides to negotiations for an end to the conflict leading to two states, Israel and Palestine, living at peace within secure and recognised borders. There is no substitute for political negotiations between the parties to the conflict leading to a lasting political settlement.

Among the favourable outcomes of the Sharm-El-Sheikh summit were the further commitments from the Israeli side to a series of confidence-building measures, including the release of Palestinian prisoners. This was an important step and I welcome the fact that effect has been given to this commitment and that discussions are continuing between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over further releases.

As regards the need to resolve the issue of settlements, the Government has consistently taken the view that the transfer of its own population into occupied territory by an occupying power is a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlements established in the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip by the Israeli authorities are illegal and should be dismantled. Land seizures by the occupation forces for the purposes of settlement are not recognised under international law. Both Ireland and the EU have made these views known to the Israeli Government on numerous occasions.

I welcome the fact that the withdrawal announced by the Israeli Government includes withdrawal from a number of settlements in the West Bank. I hope that this will mark the beginning of a wider pull-back to the pre-1967 frontiers.

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