Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the situation in the Middle East following the ending of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza which began on 27 December 2008. The Seanad had a useful discussion last week on the implications of the Gaza crisis for efforts to pursue an agreed two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dick Roche, delivered a comprehensive address to Members setting out the Government's views on the current situation in the Middle East.

Instead of repeating what my colleague said, I propose to deal with several aspects of the Gaza crisis, including its implications for the overall peace process, which are raised in the all-party motion before the House today. The three-week war in Gaza was a profound tragedy, not only for the affected population in the Gaza Strip itself but for the region as a whole. Its repercussions are likely to be felt for a considerable time. Senators are aware of the clear and consistent position articulated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government throughout the crisis, condemning the disproportionate nature of the Israeli military actions in Gaza as well as the totally unjustified and indiscriminate firing of rockets by Hamas and other Palestinian militants against the population of southern Israel.

It is clear that very serious offences and, almost certainly, violations of international humanitarian law were committed by both sides during the conflict. The report issued by Amnesty International earlier this week presented compelling evidence in this regard. The Government has already clearly set out its views that no investigation is needed to ascertain that Hamas and all other militant groups guilty of launching Qassam and other rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on a completely indiscriminate basis have violated international humanitarian law.

The evidence regarding the use of white phosphorus and other highly offensive weapons such as Flechette tank shells by the Israeli defence forces is also extremely strong. The Minister, Deputy Martin, spoke with Mr. John Ging of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, on the day the agency's headquarters in Gaza city were shelled and set on fire by Israeli forces. Mr. Ging, who is a former Irish Army officer and is well experienced in weapons and munitions systems, was in no doubt about the use of white phosphorus on that occasion. The use of such weaponry in a densely populated area such as Gaza is completely unacceptable, is a violation of international humanitarian law and raises serious questions regarding the conduct of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza which its Government will have to address.

The Minister, Deputy Martin, on behalf of the Government, has been consistent in calling for all the serious incidents of the Gaza war, such as those documented in the Amnesty International report, to be the subject of a proper independent international investigation. The Government welcomes the panel of inquiry established by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to investigate those incidents where UN facilities were attacked or the scene of serious incidents. An internal Israeli investigation is also under way but for this to be credible, it must involve independent international experts. The ultimate goal is that there should be accountability where it is clearly demonstrated that violations of international law or serious war crimes have occurred. We owe this to all the innocent victims of the Gaza conflict to ensure that we do not witness again the types of appalling scenes which appeared in the media during the war.

In light of the evidence of what occurred in Gaza there have been many calls, including by Members of this and the other House, for Ireland to review its diplomatic relations with Israel or to push at European Union level for a suspension of the association agreement with Israel. I fully understand why so many people, both in Ireland and internationally, have been prompted to make this call. However, it is important to restate the reasons that any such rupturing or downgrading of our relations with Israel would be counterproductive.

The Government has long made it clear that it is opposed to proposals for trade, diplomatic, cultural, academic, sporting or other forms of boycott against Israel. The reality is that we maintain diplomatic and economic relations with many countries and Governments without implying any approval of particular policies. We must be conscious, from our own national experience, of the importance of dialogue and keeping channels of dialogue open, even with those with whom we have major disagreements. The Gaza conflict has provided visible demonstration, if such proof were needed, that dialogue and compromise, not military solutions, remain the only way to advance the cause of peace in the Middle East. More than ever, we must encourage and support Israeli and Palestinian political leaders in their efforts to negotiate a settlement based on a two-state solution. A policy of boycotts or exclusion would clearly not contribute to that process.

Similarly, calls for a European Union trade boycott of Israel are neither practicable nor advisable. It is clear that such a proposal would not have any prospect of attracting the necessary consensus within the Union at this time. At the same time, recent events in Gaza have clearly demonstrated that the Government was correct to argue that there must be a linkage between overall developments in the peace process and any question of an upgrade in the European Union's relations with Israel. The Government continues to argue that proceeding with an upgrade in European Union-Israel relations at present would convey the wrong political signal and would not be readily understood by European public opinion. However, we will be pleased to move ahead at the appropriate political juncture. In this regard, it is obvious that we must await the process of Government formation under way in Israel and hope the new Administration which emerges will abide by Israel's international commitments, including those arising under the road map. It is also important that any eventual upgrade of relations with Israel should be paralleled by similar steps with the Palestinian Authority, as proposed by the Minister, Deputy Martin, and his Cypriot colleague, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Kyprianou, to the General Affairs and External Relations Council last December.

The overwhelming strategic priority, and the prism through which we must constantly view all events in the Middle East, remains progress towards achieving a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. As stated by the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, in this Chamber last week, no matter how ghastly the events in Gaza, and however much we need to give attention to their continuing aftermath, nobody can doubt that in the long run, the only way to avert a repeat of the appalling scenes witnessed in Gaza is to work actively to assist the reaching of a comprehensive peace between Israel and its neighbours. We must keep before us at all times the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace.

The immediate priority, however, is the situation on the ground in Gaza where the humanitarian situation remains urgent following the ending of the conflict. Efforts are continuing to put in place a durable ceasefire, following the unilateral cessation of hostilities by Israel and Hamas on 18 January. I commend the Egyptian Government on taking a lead role in efforts to produce a sustainable and urgently needed ceasefire which would open the way for full and effective implementation of Resolution 1860 adopted by the UN Security Council on 8 January. The de facto ceasefire now in place remains extremely fragile and has been subject to a series of comparatively low-level breaches which nonetheless underline the urgency of the Egyptian-led efforts.

The indirect talks under way in Cairo are also addressing the crucial issues of the full and sustainable opening of border crossings and intra-Palestinian reconciliation. It is unacceptable, almost six weeks after the end of the conflict, that border crossings into Gaza have not been opened, and kept open, on a predictable and regular basis. This is an absolutely vital step to address the serious humanitarian and reconstruction needs in Gaza. It is difficult, if not impossible, to fathom what possible justification there can be on Israel's part for not allowing items like paper and pasta to be brought in by humanitarian agencies such as UNRWA, whose life-saving role throughout the recent crisis I wish to acknowledge. The Government again strongly urges Israel to remove the unjustified restrictions on humanitarian and commercial traffic into Gaza. This should include the necessary materials to allow for reconstruction of Gaza, including homes, economic infrastructure and utilities.

The promotion of intra-Palestinian reconciliation is also crucially important if the humanitarian situation in Gaza is to be effectively addressed and appropriate workable arrangements put in place to allow the full opening of border crossings. Beyond that, we must nurture and be suitably supportive of all efforts under way at achieving intra-Palestinian reconciliation as early progress in reviving overall peace efforts is unlikely to be achieved in the absence of such reconciliation.

Important discussions mediated by the Egyptian Government are taking place today in Cairo between representatives of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. In the event that these negotiations were to yield agreement on the formation of a new Palestinian national consensus government, the EU must be ready to respond flexibly and imaginatively. The important criterion to apply to such a development will be to judge any such government by its programme and its actions rather than solely by its composition or the rhetoric of its elements. All these issues will be addressed at the reconstruction conference on Gaza which will take place in Sharm-el-Sheik in Egypt next Monday, 2 March. The conference is being jointly convened and chaired by the Governments of Egypt and Norway, the latter in its role as chair of the ad hoc liaison committee on the Palestinian territories. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, will represent Ireland at the conference, which is also due to be attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President Sarkozy, the new US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy. The conference is intended to provide clear political support for the Palestinian people in the aftermath of the Gaza war as well as address the daunting reconstruction needs in Gaza, an initial assessment of which is due to be presented by the United Nations at the conference.

Ireland provided €500,000 in humanitarian assistance last month to assist the people of Gaza and a further substantial package of humanitarian assistance is planned and will be announced by the Minister at the conference. Irish Aid is providing a comprehensive programme of support for the Palestinian people that totalled €8.6 million in 2008, double the amount provided in 2005. This included a contribution of €1.5 million for fuel for Gaza's power plant as well as core funding of €3.8 million to UNRWA, whose vital role in the provision of basic services for Palestinian refugees I have acknowledged.

The EU and the European Commission, which collectively remains the largest donor to the Palestinian people, will also be represented at the conference where Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will outline the substantial humanitarian assistance, amounting to €90 million, provided by the Commission and member states in the immediate aftermath of the Gaza conflict. The Czech Presidency will also speak on behalf of the EU, outlining the concerns of the EU regarding the current situation in Gaza and reaffirming EU willingness to support actively all efforts to relaunch overall peace efforts. In official level discussions in preparation for the conference that took place in Brussels, Ireland has insisted that any common EU statement must be clear in urging the full and sustained reopening of border crossings as an immediate and unconditional priority. Obviously, this point will also be reiterated in the national statement which the Minister for Foreign Affairs will deliver at the conference.

There are indications that a meeting of the Quartet, comprising the EU, US, Russia and the UN, may also take place en marge of the conference next Monday. If it occurs, such a meeting would be a welcome development in helping to focus discussions not only on the immediate needs in Gaza but also on the urgency of relaunching the process of dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which has been interrupted since the Gaza conflict and the intervening Israeli general election. We need to get back to a position where credible peace talks between Israel, the Palestinians and Israel's neighbours can be resumed at the earliest opportunity.

There are considerable obstacles to be overcome before we get to that point. A new government must emerge in Israel, which we hope will, and we will have to encourage to, adhere to its previous commitments, including those made at Annapolis on the implementation of the Quartet road map. It is of great concern to note the continuing failure on Israel's part to cease the expansion of new settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories, with recently announced plans for new settlements at Adam and also the expansion of the controversial E1 settlement. As the motion notes, such expansion is contrary to international law and must cease if it is not to prejudice the outcome of the final status negotiations.

Ireland will strongly urge the new Israeli Government, whatever its make-up, to desist from all those actions, including expansion of settlements, restrictions on movement and the continuing economic blockade of Gaza which conflict with the goal of a negotiated and viable two-state solution and which ultimately only serve to undermine all those on the Palestinian and Arab side working to achieve such an outcome.

It will also be important for the EU to re-engage actively in furthering regional peace efforts and working closely with international partners, including those in the Arab world, to advance important initiatives such as the Arab peace initiative launched in 2002. The clear desire within the region for such a stronger EU engagement was clearly evident and outlined to the Minister for Foreign Affairs during his recent visit to Syria, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates at the start of this month. The EU must also be more active within the framework of the Quartet in ensuring full compliance by all sides with road map commitments. Ireland will continue working to encourage a positive response on the EU's part to any new Palestinian unity government that may emerge in the coming weeks.

The US remains an indispensable player in the Middle East and it is clearly encouraging that the Obama Administration has shown such clear evidence of willingness to bring new thinking and new commitment to the US Government's vital role in supporting the peace effort. President Obama's stated intention to pursue peace in the Middle East "actively and aggressively" is one that has been very warmly received by all those who support such peace efforts. The appointment of Senator George Mitchell as US Middle East Envoy is also an inspired choice which demonstrates seriousness of intent. We know well from our experience of the Good Friday Agreement negotiations the undoubted skills and invaluable experience that Senator Mitchell will bring to this role.

It would be unwise not to recognise the very many priorities and challenges which face President Obama and his Administration, including within the region where the President has made clear his desire to review policy and pursue the opportunities that may exist for improved bilateral relations with Iran, a crucial regional player. The EU is engaged in dialogue with Iran regarding the many concerns over the country's nuclear programme and any improved dialogue between the US and Iran can obviously only assist in addressing these major concerns which exist on the part of the international community as a whole. Such efforts will hopefully form part of a broader regional peace effort since it is possible that the clear opportunity which now exists to pursue a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may not be unlimited. It is therefore all the more urgent that Ireland and our EU partners work as closely as possible with the US and Arab partners in the coming months to ensure that this vital opportunity that now exists is not squandered. On behalf of the Government, I am happy to commend this motion to the House.