Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the request by the Israeli Government for the EU to monitor the Egyptian-Gaza border; if the Israeli Government has had direct contact with the Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/05]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the situation in the Middle East and the relationship between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33286/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recommendations of the recent General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting with regard to the upsurge of violence in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33292/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 51 and 82 together.

The Government, and its partners in the EU, firmly believe that the Quartet roadmap provides the best framework for a lasting and peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are continuing to work with Israel and with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that they take advantage of the opportunity offered by the disengagement from Gaza for a return to full implementation of the roadmap. This will involve parallel action by both parties to implement their commitments under the roadmap.

The Israeli Government has not made direct contact with the Government in relation to arrangements for the Egypt-Gaza border. On 2 November, the Quartet's Special Envoy for Disengagement, Mr. James Wolfensohn, wrote to the EU Presidency and to High Representative Solana to convey a request from the parties that the EU consider playing a third party monitoring role at the Rafah crossing point. The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council which I attended in Brussels on 7 November noted the EU's willingness in principle to provide assistance with the operation of crossings at Gaza's borders, on the basis of an agreement between the parties. An EU scoping mission is visiting the region this week and its report to the Council should provide the basis for an early decision on the nature of any EU involvement.

The Council also considered the wider situation, including the recent escalation in violence in Gaza and the West Bank. It condemned unreservedly the recent terrorist attacks on Israel, which have resulted in a number of Israeli fatalities and injuries. The Council also condemned the further violence perpetrated by Palestinian militants. While recognising fully Israel's right to protect its citizens, the Council also considered the wider situation, including the recent escalation in violence in Gaza and the West Bank. It condemned unreservedly the recent terrorist attacks on Israel, which have resulted in a number of Israeli fatalities and injuries. The Council also condemned the further violence perpetrated by Palestinian militants. While recognising fully Israel's right to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks, the Council called on Israel to act with restraint and to refrain from all extra-judicial killings, which are contrary to international law. It underlined the need for the Palestinian Authority to take full control of law and order in the Occupied Territories.

The EU regularly emphasises its firm commitment to the objective of the co-existence of two states. This must involve the creation of an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel and its neighbours in peace and security. The EU will not recognise any change to the pre-1967 borders other than those arrived at by agreement between the parties.

The Council this week reiterated its support for the work of the Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement, and welcomed his recent report on progress. It urged the parties to reach early agreement on the issues identified in the rapid action plan, including arrangements for Gaza's borders and crossings, the Gaza seaport and airport, movement of goods and people between Gaza and the West Bank, and freedom of movement in the West Bank. The Council called on Israel and the Palestinians to work with equal determination towards resolution of the outstanding issues.

The Council urged the Israeli Government to cease all activities in the Palestinian territories, including settlement building, the construction of the separation barrier and the demolition of Palestinian homes, which are contrary to international law and threaten to make any solution based on the co-existence of two states physically impossible. Ministers were particularly concerned about the implementation of these policies in and around east Jerusalem. The Council called for the re-opening of Palestinian institutions in east Jerusalem, and it called on the Israeli Government to cease all discriminatory treatment of Palestinians in east Jerusalem.