Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the most recent events in Gaza and whether retaliation undertaken by the Israeli defence forces to the unjustifiable rocket attacks from Gaza is disproportionate, particularly in view of claims made by B'Tselem that half of those killed by Israeli strikes were unarmed civilians and one quarter, children; and the action he proposes to take in this regard as a member of the international community as well as the European Union, a member of the international Quartet. [10315/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I was a member of that delegation. I join the Minister in condemning the recent killings in the area, including of eight people at a seminary in Jerusalem and an Israeli soldier but also particularly the 106 Palestinians, half of whom were civilians and 25% of whom were children. The facts were distorted and all were presented as being militants.

I am glad the Minister accepts that what is taking place in Gaza is a siege. It is a siege of 1.5 million people, 1.1 million of whom are fed by the UNHRA and 300,000 by the World Food Programme. Up to 80% of the inhabitants are unemployed. Five people died because they were denied access to Egypt for medical treatment, even though they were in a coma. Hundreds more are waiting for permission to go there for medical treatment.

What are the views of the Department and the European Union of the Israeli supreme court's decision last Tuesday that Israel could absolve itself from its obligations as an occupying power? Did the Council of Ministers discuss the permission given for the building of 500 settlement houses, with an additional 250 planned, east of Jerusalem?

I agree with the Minister's statement about collective punishment. What practical proposals, directly or otherwise, have been made by the European Union to Egypt to achieve a ceasefire? If the Union wishes to achieve a two-state solution, is it not in its interests to reverse its disastrous decision of non-co-operation with the Palestinian unity government? Does the Minister favour achieving a ceasefire as a matter of urgency with the assistance of Egypt? Does he favour the continuation of negotiations for a two-state solution through a Palestinian unity government which would include Hamas and Fatah? Does he agree with John Ging's report for the UNHRA, that the international community must press for the lifting of the siege that has continued since 15 November 2005 when free movement was blocked at the Rafah crossing which has locked the people of Gaza into a slow attrition of death.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The proposed expansion of settlement building in the occupied territories is against the terms of the road map and, in our view, illegal under international law. There is a broad view across the European Union, shared by a number of member states, that to speak with Hamas which has as its principal aim the destruction of the state of Israel and similarly with organisations in our own history said to have an armalite in one hand and a ballot box in the other runs counter to the ethos and understanding of a two-state solution. However, because it is a strong entity within the region Hamas will at some stage have to be part of the solution rather than the problem. Therefore, we will have to find a method for dealing with it sooner rather than later. At the same time there must be a clear commitment to democratic principles on its side and its aims must change in order that they will no longer include the destruction of Israel. We fully condemn the continued siege of Gaza and, as I said, the indiscriminate attack on civilians by the Israelis.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Is it the intention of the European Union to reassert the authority of international law with regard to Israel's obligations as an occupying power? It never fully withdrew from Gaza, as it suggested in 2005.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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This matter is under constant discussion at EU level. Pressure is being put on Israel to comply with the commitments made in the road map. Equally, it is important that we engage, as the Deputy mentioned in his earlier supplementary question, with moderate Arab states. Egypt, represented by General Suleiman, has been adept in recent times at achieving discussions with the various sides. However, there is an obligation on Israel as a democratic state to uphold democratic norms.