Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the EU's diplomatic relationship with Israel and Gaza; if plans for an EU-Israel summit will go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14624/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland enjoys good diplomatic relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority through our Embassy in Tel Aviv, representative office in Ramallah and their respective missions in Dublin. The representative office in Ramallah is accredited to the Palestinian Authority, including in respect of Gaza. The EU likewise engages directly with the Government of Israel and with the Palestinian Authority, including on issues relating to Gaza.

It is a matter of regret that the Palestinian Authority is currently unable to exercise control of Gaza. Discussions between the Palestinian factions have been under way since January, brokered by the Egyptian Government, with the aim of ending this division and restoring a united Palestinian Government. I would welcome such a development.

Ireland believes that the EU should be ready to engage with Hamas once previously stated requirements are met and the movement indicates readiness to renounce violence and be part of the search for a solution in the area. There have been some indications that its position may be evolving, but the ball is in Hamas's court.

The idea of an EU-Israel summit meeting was one of the possibilities for deeper political exchanges connected with the idea of an overall enhancement in EU-Israel relations, the so-called upgrade. I have spoken on this topic many times in the House and have made clear our opinion that the decision in principle last year to upgrade should be reconsidered in light of subsequent developments, including both the Gaza conflict and the stance of the new Israeli Government.

The Czech Presidency had indicated that it hoped to be able to hold an EU-Israel summit during its term, but it does not now appear that this will take place. More positively, the Obama Administration continues to be actively engaged in the search for peace, with Senator Mitchell paying his third visit to the region last week while President Obama will meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and Presidents Abbas and Mubarak in the coming weeks. Renewed US engagement and co-operation with the EU in the region is critical, a point I heavily emphasised in my intervention at the recent EU-US summit in Prague.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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At a Council meeting in December, it was agreed that bilateral relations with Israel be upgraded. I assume the Government supported this position at the time. Claiming that the proposed EU-Israel summit should not proceed is flawed logic, as we need to engage. Since I do not understand, what is the Minister's logic for refusing to upgrade the bilateral relationship with Israel? There would be a carrot effect in terms of incentivising better co-operation with the EU and the US.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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And an international tribunal on war crimes.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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There would be a better opportunity to get the region's peace process on track. What is the Minister's logic?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Czech Presidency's intended summit is not likely to go ahead. Our position at the December Council meeting was clear. We wrote to the Presidency and stated that were there to be any upgrade or any summit with Israel, there would need to be a summit with the Palestinian Authority. The Presidency was going down another route.

Ireland's position has always been consistent in that we have linked progress on the Middle East peace process with any upgrade in relationships. The Israeli Government has not been happy with our position, but that strong linkage between upgrading relationships with any player in the region and sensible progress and commitment to key principles is important.

While a good relationship already exists between Israel and the EU, upgrading it further, in the absence of any commitment from the new Prime Minister of Israel to-----

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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To a Palestinian state.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----the two-state solution, would be a significant carrot that rewarded such a stance. I also refer to the Israeli Foreign Minister's recent comments that Israel no longer is bound to the Annapolis process. The Government does not wish to be awkward in this regard and wishes to creates space to allow momentum develop for peace because it believes the ultimate solution is a two-state solution in which both states live in harmony and peace with each other. I am not encouraged by recent events, such as the failure to open crossings to facilitate the access of humanitarian aid for reconstruction. The news the Department receives from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is continually and frustratingly depressing. It pertains to how people are being left in situations of dire need and want, particularly in respect of supplies for primary education and so on.

We are in a very difficult environment in the wake of the Gaza conflict. It should be remembered that a horrific conflict took place in Gaza that also has coloured the minds and has changed views within Europe and across the European Union on this issue. Clearly, it has created a scenario in which it is neither optimal nor the right time to consider the upgrading of relationships. That said, the prioritisation that President Obama courageously has accorded this issue is important and we stand willing to help and assist in any way possible all the players in the region towards a lasting and sustained settlement.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We will have a brief supplementary question from Deputy Creighton.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Everyone in this House is committed to the two-state solution and that is Fine Gael's position. As for the appointment of Senator Mitchell, from the Minister's remarks it strikes me there has been no progress and the Minister is not optimistic, notwithstanding the renewed impetus from the United States. Is that the case?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I draw genuine hope and solace from President Obama's decision to give priority to this issue and from his appointment of a man of George Mitchell's calibre to engage in the region.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Hear, hear. He will do better than Tony Blair.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Members also should recall that in the past, Mr. Netanyahu has proved capable of reaching pragmatic agreements. On the face of it, given all the rhetoric and articulation of ideas, one does not draw hope from some of the rhetoric that has been articulated. However, we have been through this in Ireland in respect of our peace process and behind that, perhaps movement can take place.

In the Government's view, it is of strategic importance to Israel that there would be a resolution of this issue, as obviously it is to the Palestinians. Moreover, the Arab states have played a highly constructive role in this regard through the Arab peace initiative and it is important not to allow that to wither.