Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

The Israelis should release the 40 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council who are in jail and, in turn, the Palestinians should use their influence to release the Israeli soldiers being held in Palestine. That would help to create a sustainable solution to the crisis in the Middle East. A significant opportunity has arisen to bring about a settlement in the Middle East and Ireland, as a neutral state, has a responsibility to lobby the European Union to restore financial support to the Palestinian state. I commend the people of Norway, who have recognised the establishment of the new Palestinian Government. Their representative has been snubbed and boycotted by the Israeli Government as a result of that decision.