Results 1-13 of 13 for israel segment:2878539

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I have been to Israel as well. I will outline a little of the history. After the 1967 war Israel offered a deal of land for peace. That was turned down and the Arab summit held in Khartoum immediately afterwards arrived at its triple negative resolution — no negotiations, no recognition and no peace. That is the line Hamas and Fatah have taken over the years. Achieving peace in...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Feargal Quinn: Israeli Arabs have their own free press, free trade union and free television stations. I am concerned about the unbalanced nature of the words used in Ireland about Israel. I believe Israel does not get the fair hearing it needs. When we talk about an ethical, moral and fair foreign policy, we should include a fair, ethical and moral viewpoint on the balance of interests in that difficult...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Feargal Quinn: However, the Arab League has responded by urging that the state of Israel be wiped out. I am seeking to achieve a balance in our viewpoint. I do not believe that balance is heard regularly in this House. I am sure there is a strong opposing case to be made but the fact that I am not making that case is because it has so often been made in so many other ways in the past. Israel is the only...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: ...a policy of constructive engagement with Hamas is required. That is, after all, what brought success to the peace process. It is entirely unreasonable to suggest that recognition of the state of Israel be a precondition for any kind of engagement. It would be like insisting that changing Articles 2 and 3 should have been a precondition of any negotiations on Northern Ireland. I am sorry...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Feargal Quinn: ...our foreign policy has been overseas aid. There has been a moral and ethical policy throughout those years. There is one exception. I believe Ireland has not taken a balanced view with regard to Israel. The voices we hear in the House tend to condemn Israel on practically every occasion so I wish to put a balancing argument against that viewpoint.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I object to the number of occasions the word "occupation" is used with regard to Israel and the West Bank.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Those insights need to be got across. The balance of power is with Israel, which has not done enough to try to consolidate relations with its neighbours. I accept that at times its neighbours have been very difficult and nearly impossible. A considerable amount could be learnt from the Northern Ireland peace process by all the different participants.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: That is why we have the problems we have. I have perfect sympathy with Israel's right to exist within recognised borders. However, it has not recognised the displacement and dislodgement of people who have been put into an area. I recognise the Jewish people have had huge hurts and grievances historically — above all in the mid-20th century. However, it has not accepted the harm caused...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Feargal Quinn: The Israelis were in Lebanon because they had been attacked from there over the years but they left it voluntarily. As soon as they did, the bombs and rockets were launched from there as well. I am not defending the situation or trying to make it simple or easy. However, I believe there has not been the balance of interests and moderation that is required if peace is to be achieved there....

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Don Lydon: ...government in Palestine and the Government has committed to a peace process reflecting the Quartet principles. The international community must also be generous in its response. We acknowledge Israel's absolute right to exist in peace and security, which should be unchallenged. Not least in its own interest, however, Israel must engage seriously and openly with Palestinians. It must...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Brendan Ryan: ...was correctly concerned about the locking up of the Opposition leader in Zimbabwe. We could refer to Palestine also. There are between 20 and 40 Members of the Palestinian Parliament in jail in Israel but nobody talks about this. We could talk about Guantanamo Bay and the fact that the civilian lawyer of the first prisoner who pleaded guilty, who has now gone to Australia, refused to...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: ...be regrettable, but it was elected. Do we believe in democracy? Not, it seems, when it comes to the Palestinians. I was one of those who were crucially involved in the establishment of the first Israeli embassy here and have supported and continue to support the State of Israel, but I will not support any government, however close to it I am, that violates human rights. I have said the...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: ..., the corruption of language is a significant and telling factor. In a revealing moment the Lady Macbeth of the Middle East, Condoleezza Rice, described the horrendous bloodbath that followed the Israeli assault upon Lebanon as "the birth pangs of a new democracy". As I indicated, under the Bush Administration the West has descended to values not seen since Adolf Hitler, but people are...