Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I am extremely concerned about the appalling levels of violence in Israel and the occupied territories in recent weeks. The Middle East peace process is now at a point of great difficulty. I welcome the significant reduction in violence in recent days and hope all parties will seize this opportunity to restore momentum and credibility to the political process.

EU Foreign Ministers focused on the dangers of the situation at our meeting in Brussels yesterday. I expect the European Council to underline the determination of the European Union to reassert its influence to promote the strategic objective of a two-state solution later this week.

It is important to repeat that there can be no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have strongly supported the courageous move by the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian President to enter into final status negotiations with the objective of reaching agreement by the end of this year. I have, however, become increasingly concerned in recent weeks that events on the ground will undermine the political process launched at Annapolis. Ireland has, therefore, spoken out clearly on continued illegal settlement expansion, the security barrier and the severity of restrictions on the movement of people in the occupied territories. I have unreservedly condemned as terrorism the rocket attacks from Gaza on towns in southern Israel.

I remain deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. It is unacceptable that Israel should isolate the people of Gaza and cut off essential supplies in order to exert pressure on them to reject Hamas. I agree with the United Nations that this constitutes collective punishment and is illegal under international humanitarian law. It is also politically counterproductive, increasing the influence of extremists.

I have strongly condemned the recent Israeli military operation in Gaza and especially the high level of civilian casualties, including several babies and young children. Gaza is one of the most densely populated parts of the world and I regard it as simply unacceptable that a modern army should fire weapons of war into slums and refugee camps, even if it believes its motivation is to respond to the terror of rocket attacks. All armies have an obligation to protect civilian lives.

The House will join me in repeating my condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack which took the lives of eight religious students, seven of whom were teenagers, in Jerusalem last Thursday. Our clear message is for an immediate end to all violence. I have supported the call by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, for a comprehensive ceasefire which will end rocket attacks and shootings against Israelis and all military operations in the occupied territories. The European Union strongly supports the continuing efforts of Egypt and others in this regard. Ireland will continue to work directly with the parties and through the European Union for urgent and bold action in favour of peace and compromise and the revitalisation of the political process.

I thank members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs for their recent visit to the area.

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