John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister and thank him for his contribution and the commitment and insight he has shown and the statements he has made about continuing efforts on behalf of the Government to bring peace to this area.

I am glad to support the motion and welcome the opportunity to speak on the continuing depressing situation in Israel and Palestine. The ongoing difficulties in the Middle East are complex and burdened by a history that goes back to Biblical times. Some interventions over the years have not helped and have led to an escalation. Unfortunately, there is little sign of a resolution to the problem in the short term. It appears one is either pro-Jew or pro-Arab and there is little room in between. The clashes of culture, hampered by history, have resulted in a constant collision course.

We all empathise with the Jewish people and the history of the Holocaust and so on, as outlined by Senator Hayes, and the world hangs its head in shame that such atrocities were allowed to happen. In 1948 the international community set about correcting what it perceived as an injustice by establishing and recognising the State of Israel. In doing so, it abolished the legitimate right and claim of the Palestinian people to have their own state, following the break-up of the Ottoman empire. The Palestinian people are looking for no more than what the Jewish people looked for in 1947. The international community has, yet again, a responsibility to ensure that injustice is corrected. The 1948 agreement was flawed, not in principle but in application. Its vision was too narrow and that decision ultimately led to the difficulties we see today. It should have been a more regional divide, allowing for sustainable Arab nations, including a State of Palestine, and a State of Israel. The River Jordan, a strategic natural asset in the region, had to be available to both sides. Jerusalem, with its religious significance, so important to both cultures, should have resided as an international city, under joint authority.

Speaking of the international community, recent world events clearly show the time has come to examine the workings and the authority of the United Nations and, in particular, the Security Council. The power of veto as exercised by permanent members has and is being abused time after time. Is this in the interest of the United Nations, with legitimate world authority, presiding over world order? My opinions may differ from others. I firmly believe what we have now created in Israel and Palestine is unsustainable and non-viable and will continue to lead to violence and bloodshed. There can be no peace without justice. The Palestinian people have not been given justice, which is denied to them daily.

I emphasise I do not in any way support the terrorist actions of the Palestinian people. I do not even attempt to understand the mindset of suicide bombers. Suicide bombing is terrorism at its worst. I welcome the statement this evening by Senator Norris, that Mr. Arafat has also clearly denounced such atrocities. Ireland has a close affiliation with the Middle East and it should not be forgotten the role we have played in promoting peace there.