Written answers

Wednesday, 15 November 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken by the Irish Government and by the European Union to discourage the Israeli authorities from killing Palestinian citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38085/06]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will intervene urgently on behalf of the Palestine people in the UN and EU and with the Israeli; Government regarding the human rights abuses being perpetrated in Palestine. [38165/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.

The Government is deeply concerned by the situation in the Occupied Territories, and especially by the rising toll of death and destruction in Gaza. I have unreservedly condemned the deaths of 18 civilians, including women and children, in the shelling of Beit Hanoun by the Israeli Defence Forces on 8 November. I have called very clearly for an immediate end to all violence. This includes the Israeli military operation in Gaza and the firing of rockets on Israel from Palestinian Territory.

The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 13 November strongly deplored the Israeli military action in Gaza and the unacceptable military operation in Beit Hanoun. The Council emphasised that any military action should not be disproportionate or in contradiction to international humanitarian law. The Government and our EU partners have regularly reminded all parties of their obligation to protect civilian lives. We have stated clearly that Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself against attack, but not at the expense of the lives and welfare of innocent civilians.

The violence of recent months, in the Occupied Territories, Israel and Lebanon, underlines the urgent need to revive a credible peace process in the Middle East. There can be no military or unilateral solutions to the Israeli — Palestinian conflict. The Government has been active in direct contact with the parties, with our partners in the EU, and at the United Nations in arguing strongly that the only way forward for the Israeli and the Palestinian people is the negotiation of a viable two-State solution. The EU strongly supports the continuing efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate the formation of a Palestinian national unity government. The Council on 13 November stated that a government with a platform reflecting the Quartet principles and allowing for early engagement would be a partner for the international community in re-launching the peace process.

The Government and our EU partners will remain actively engaged in the search for a lasting, peaceful and just settlement. The immediate priority must be to relieve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The EU, and Ireland bilaterally, have significantly increased assistance to the Palestinian people this year, and we have called for the immediate resumption by Israel of withheld tax and customs revenues. We also continue to seek the release of the captured Israeli soldier and of Palestinian legislators detained in Israel, and the re-opening of the Gaza crossing points.

It is essential that all parties demonstrate urgently that they are ready to act on their obligations under the Quartet Roadmap, and under international law. The Council has consistently called on Israel to desist from any actions that threaten the viability of an agreed two-State solution. Of particular concern are the continued expansion of settlements, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the construction of the separation barrier on occupied territory. The EU has also made it clear that it will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders other than those agreed by the parties.

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