Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. His father, David Andrews, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, and his late uncle, Niall Andrews, were very committed to and involved in the Middle East. David Andrews is now the president of the Irish Red Cross and has played a very important role in that organisation's work in Gaza, the West Bank and the region as a whole.

I am convenor of the Friends of Palestine organisation in the Oireachtas. It is one of the best represented groups in the House and has members from all parties and all sides. The group works to assist in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and to ensure the existence of a free and safe Israel, both working together in parallel. This is the ambition and hope.

The late, great Brian Lenihan, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, was the first foreign minister in the European Union to support a two-state solution allowing for an independent Palestinian state and the support of Israel. He is well regarded in the region for his support for the cause.

As convenor of Friends of Palestine and as one who is not an enemy of Israel, I led a delegation to the West Bank, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Hebron in 2005. I was accompanied by the current Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, leader of the Green Party, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh, a prominent member of Sinn Féin, Senator John Paul Phelan of Fine Gael and the late Tony Gregory. We met all the different agents in the region and I was very impressed by Ireland's support for the cause and by the university in Bethlehem, a city of historic importance, especially to Christians. The surrounding of that city by a 30-foot concrete wall has turned it into an enclave and has prevented it from making economic progress. In Ramallah we were confronted by two Israeli soldiers who aimed their automatic guns at us because we were accompanied by Palestinians. The area in Ramallah in question has been settled, especially by people from Brooklyn in the United States. They should be removed from that city, which is mainly Palestinian.

Ireland has a very proud record in providing support and aid to the region and it is well respected. However, the region has been divided by the new Berlin Wall erected by the Israelis which goes right through Palestinian territory. This has resulted in the provocation of the Palestinians in light of the occupation of the West Bank. It is reported that a further 430 acres are being occupied by Israeli settlers.

I witnessed at first hand the way settlers are brought into Palestinian territories and the way in which the Palestinians are walked upon. It is unbelievable. The operation that happened in Gaza was a further incitement and a slaughter of the innocent. Some 1,300 were slaughtered.

I condemn Hamas for aiming rockets at Israel. Its doing so is provocative and resulted in an over-the-top response by Israel in advance of the Israeli elections. The response was politically motivated and the result was that Palestinians were slaughtered in Gaza. The area is absolutely decimated and I welcome the fact that the Government, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, have allocated a further €500,000 to assist in the region, despite the fact that we are experiencing a very difficult economic downturn. Our circumstances pale into insignificance by comparison with those of the Palestinians. A total of 500,000 people reside in an area smaller than the size of counties Leitrim or Roscommon. It is an open prison and it cries out for justice and fair play.

I do not support the work or objectives of Hamas but its representatives were democratically elected. I call for the reunification of Fatah and Hamas. There should be only one voice for the Palestinian people. It is a question of "divide and conquer", the same approach that was adopted in the past in respect of issues here in Ireland.

There is no single spokesperson for the Palestinian cause. Gaza is occupied and supported by Hamas, the powerful body in that region. The West Bank is under the control of Fatah, which was also elected. The link between those regions must be ensured if a viable Palestinian state is to be created.

President Obama has sent Mr. George Mitchell to work as a mediator in the region with Mr. Tony Blair. The two men actually worked with the Fianna Fáil leadership, including former Taoisigh Mr. Albert Reynolds, Mr. Charles Haughey and Deputy Bertie Ahern, to bring about a solution in Northern Ireland. When bearing in mind the role of Mr. Gerry Adams and all those involved in Northern Ireland, one must acknowledge that Mr. Blair and Mr. Mitchell played a very important role. It is a great symbol of hope and encouragement that these two mediators are in the Middle East. I hope they bring about a lasting solution to the conflict.

There will be a solution sometime but, in the meantime, more innocent victims will be lost. I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this cross-party debate. I welcome that we have different viewpoints in this House, and rightly so. This is a democracy and we have a right to express our views in an honest and genuine way. I respect everyone's views in that regard and hope we will bring about a peaceful and honourable solution in this region. I hope for a two-state solution, namely, Israel and Palestine working together in the interest of peace and harmony.