Seanad debates

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

5:00 pm

Photo of Paul BradfordPaul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I second the motion. Like Senator Ryan, I wish to state my strong assertion that the Israeli soldier currently being held should be released.

The Senator concluded with the interesting example of what we said and did in terms of the Northern Ireland peace process and the first substantial ceasefire therein in 1994, from which we can learn. A word at the centre of the Northern peace process has been "respect", which is also central to our attempts to find a fair and equitable peace for the people of the Middle East. There must be respect for the Palestinian and Jewish peoples. This debate must recognise the state of Israel while demanding and recognising the right of the Palestinian state to securely exist within its defined boundaries.

While the Minister of State would know more about the matter than me, we had hoped that the roadmap would have charted the way forward in recent years. The international Quartet worked towards the securing of that agreement, but it appeared to be a case of one step forward and two steps back. The situation is one of genuine crisis, which has been highlighted in recent weeks by the kidnapping and the ensuing strong and excessive response by the Israeli authorities.

We have received detailed documentation from the various organisations and aid groups concerning the current situation on the ground in Gaza. Senator Ryan referred to the documentation received from Christian Aid. One of its partners based in Gaza, Mr. Alsaqa, stated that a sonic boom hitting an area is terrifying. A state of panic takes hold and children rush to hide under tables. Recently, the deputy director of the UN's relief agency in Gaza told Reuters that an estimated 25,000 people could be forced to flee if Israel attacks the north as indicated. This is the current situation in that flashpoint, but the international community's response has been inadequate. From a security perspective, it has been a problem for more than 40 years. From a political perspective, it has been a problem for longer and is not getting the attention it deserves.

The motion, which I strongly support, refers to the disproportionate burden of suffering inflicted on the Palestinian people, particularly in recent weeks. From a humanitarian point of view rather than a political one, we must demand an end to this suffering. From our history with our neighbouring island, we know that might is not right and fighting one wrong with another does not succeed. Only through inclusive talks and dialogue where respect is at the centre of what one is trying to achieve, can one begin to make progress.

There was an election in the region. As democrats, we the international community support and promote the concept of democracy, but we decided that we did not like the result. We accepted it and subsequently put in place sanctions and measures to overturn it. I do not support the previous position of Hamas on Israel, but there have been significant signs of change and a willingness to change on the former's part. Should we encourage that change through dialogue or should we block it by trying to shut down the Hamas Government, which was chosen by the Palestinian people?

Perhaps we did not like the results of elections in Northern Ireland in recent months and years, but we have accepted and worked with them. The same should apply to the Palestinians' democratic decision on who should lead them into the next phase. Our political project should be one of trying to change the position of Hamas and working with it to chart a way forward. We should try to convince Hamas, as we eventually convinced ourselves after a minimum of 70 years and a maximum of 700 years, that one does not win by war. Rather, one progresses through peace and dialogue.

The EU's response and sanctions, on which my party's spokesperson, Deputy Allen, issued strong press statements and policy documents, have not been helpful in advancing the situation. As the motion demands, we need a willingness among all parties to stop the killing and agree to a ceasefire. This should not come about with 100 preconditions. Rather, it should be brought about to stop the killing and allow talks to begin.

This debate, like the peace moves, is not taking place in a vacuum. There was an internationally acceptable solution in the roadmap proposed by the Quartet. That is the political way forward, the route to a successfully negotiated settlement. However, we must revert to talks. Bullets flying, armies invading, citizens being terrified, a humanitarian crisis growing, children beginning to starve, salaries going unpaid and civil administration breaking down do not constitute the way forward.

We must encourage through the Government an immediate ceasefire. Indeed, most governments would work in that direction. However, I agree with Senator Ryan's assertion that we must try to get the EU to revisit its attitude towards Hamas, as we are not solely speaking about Hamas. Rather, we are discussing the Palestinian Government. Only through working with it can we get it to accept the fundamental changes necessary to achieve a democratic, peaceful and progressive two-state solution that will hopefully lead to a degree of prosperity.

Erecting walls against progress, closing down dialogue with Hamas and refusing to recognise the result of a democratic election are of no help. In all international and domestic conflicts, it is not a question of one side being entirely right while the other is entirely wrong. Senator Ryan briefly mentioned the fault on the Israeli side stretching back to the 1967 invasion and the international condemnations made since. The Israeli political culture has much to answer for, but if one removes the politics and armies, the Palestinian and Israeli peoples want peace and a future where they can live together.

There is a way forward through politics and dialogue, but there must be a ceasefire and a recognition and respect for the Palestinian Government in the immediate future. We must work and engage in genuine dialogue with it, which the people on this island discovered after 3,000 deaths in a short period. An ironic similarity between our countries is that the 1967 invasion preceded the opening of a dreadful conflict on this island by two years. After 30 years or so, we found a way forward. Let us hope the Palestinian Government and the state of Israel take the same way forward.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.