Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

On a general point, I intend to travel to the Middle East in the not too distant future and will meet with the representatives of the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. It is also anticipated that I will visit Jordan and Egypt and I will raise all these concerns. This will be a slow process but the indications are fairly favourable and hopeful. The Israelis will move out of Tulkarem next week. We regard this withdrawal, if it takes place, as a good template for further disengagement.

The Law on Absentee Property and the issue of confiscation have been raised by the EU External Relations Council which has called on the parties to refrain from taking action. My understanding is that following legal advice the Israeli authorities are reviewing the decision taken in this matter. This issue is raised at every meeting of the External Relations Council to keep pressure on the Israelis.

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