Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I support the motion in the names of Senators Norris, Ross, O'Toole, Henry and Quinn and I fully endorse the sentiments it contains. I thank Senator Norris for his excellent contribution.

Senator Norris placed a significant statement from Ramallah on the record of the House. It is significant that Chairman Arafat has stated in unequivocal terms the total opposition of the Palestinian Authority and its people to the suicide bombers, the result of whose actions we see on a constant basis on television. I ask the members of the Irish media who report on our debate to highlight that statement in order to ensure there is no confusion.

A former colleague, the late Deputy Jim Mitchell, visited the West Bank in the latter years of his life. He described to me in clear terms the abject poverty that exists there and in Gaza. I was struck by Jim Mitchell's comments because there is no doubt that the region in question is a wealthy part of the world. Senator Norris outlined appalling statistics to the effect that the unemployment rate in the region runs at 62%. Such statistics provide the kind of incentive necessary to force people to go to fanatical extremes and take up arms against the Jewish people. We have a responsibility, as Europeans in a neutral state and as supporters of the peace process in this country, to do everything in our power to support the road map which is in place but which is faltering.

I have always been a supporter of the Israeli State. The collective guilt on all Europeans after the Second World War should never be forgotten. It was only right and proper that after that war the Jewish people were given a homeland which they could call their own. However, that should not be misinterpreted as ensuring that the Israelis have a right to do what they will with the people, particularly Arabs and Palestinians, around them.

We need to be even-handed and balanced in our debates. The type of balance contained in the motion and in the excellent contribution of Senator Mooney needs to be put in place. Otherwise our debates will simply take the form of statements on the last atrocity. There have been so many atrocities on all sides over such a long period it would be the wrong impression to give. I support the right of the Israeli people to their own state. I also support the right of Palestinians to have their own state. I further support efforts towards peaceful co-habitation in that region and, as Europeans, we have a responsibility to bring that about.

There have been two positive developments in recent days. Whatever one's view of Mr. Sharon and his coalition Government in Israel, I welcome the statement he made yesterday in which he gave an unequivocal commitment to bring about the beginning of the end of the process of the settlements in the Gaza Strip by the summer of this year. I accept that huge questions hang over whether he can bring this about. However, even independent commentators in the region are saying that the veracity of his statement yesterday and the tone of an interview he gave last Monday are such that he cannot go back on what he has said. The House should monitor that commitment, which I welcome. Mr. Sharon said yesterday that because of the security burden he has now accepted the legitimacy of ending the settlement process. For a range of reasons, it cannot make sense for the Israeli State to continue the ridiculous policy of containment and of ensuring further settlements in the region. I support what Mr. Sharon said yesterday but we must see the colour of his money in terms of bringing about what he has promised. The House and the European Union have an absolute responsibility to ensure his commitment is enforced.

The Israeli Labour Party of Shimon Peres has shown tremendous courage in the face of terrible provocation from Mr. Sharon and his party, particularly during the last general election, in supporting the statement made yesterday. The Israeli Labour Party should be supported for saying the difficult things that need to be said to the Israeli people at this time. I welcome the significant exchange of prisoners that was made last week. However, there is a need for further such exchanges.

It does not make sense for the Israeli Government to continue its war of attrition against the Palestinian people for a host of reasons, not least of which is the fact that the Israeli economy is in tatters. The economy of Israel was very successful until recently but because of the massive security bill it is being obliged to foot, it is now in tatters. It makes pure economic sense for the Israeli Government to reach out and make peace with the Palestinian people.

I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, who has arrived in the House for this important debate.

If we were to achieve a state of peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis it would be internationally recognised and would do a great deal to help the emerging and constant tension between the Arab world and the rest of the world and also that between Muslims, Christians and Jews. This is a theatre of international action in which we must make every effort to bring about a peaceful resolution.

Two weeks ago there was an excellent article by Ms Nuala Haughey in The Irish Times in which she delved into the mind of the suicide bomber. Ms Haughey was reporting on the then latest atrocity which had been carried out by a female suicide bomber. I congratulate her on bringing to our attention this kind of fanaticism. Even if a workable deal can be brought about and enforced, we must see an end to violence by Hamas and other extreme terrorist organisations on behalf of the Palestinian people. This is an important issue. Nuala Haughey identified the kind of fanaticism that is at the centre of many of the suicide bomb attacks. If I was an Israeli, how would I react to the bombings that are constantly taking place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other parts of Israel? The only way forward is for a complete end to violence in the region. Those groups that may not be central to the current Palestinian Authority must play their role in that regard.

I commend the motion to the House and I thank Senator Norris and his colleagues for tabling it. We should monitor the new commitments made 24 hours ago in order to ensure that they are honoured.