Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has contacted the Israeli Ambassador and expressed the concern of the Irish Government in relation to the rising toll in deaths and injuries in Gaza as a result of Israeli military actions over the past four months; if he has discussed these issues with the Ambassador; if he has demanded that the Israelis commit to withdrawing their current policy of shelling highly populated areas; if he has not discussed these matters with the Ambassador, does he intend to do so and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38610/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has been in contact with the US Ambassador regarding the current Israeli policy of shelling highly populated areas, which has resulted in nearly 250 fatalities, including children and nearly 1,000 wounded, 34% of whom have been children, in the past four months; if he has asked the US to intervene and use its considerable influence to put a halt to this devastating policy; if not, will he do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38611/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together.

The Government is deeply concerned by the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and especially by the rising toll of death and destruction in Gaza. We have conveyed our position clearly and consistently in direct contacts with the parties, including the Israeli Ambassador in Dublin and the Israeli Government in Jerusalem, in our contacts with the US and others, and at the United Nations.

Most recently, I have unreservedly condemned the killing of 18 civilians, including women and children, in the shelling of Beit Hanoun by the Israeli Defence Forces on 8 November. I also condemn the killing of an Israeli woman in rocket attacks on Sderot on 15 November. The Government has 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.

An Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on 17 November adopted a Resolution, introduced by the Palestinian delegation, which calls on Israel to cease immediately military operations which endanger the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Territories and withdraw its forces from within the Gaza Strip to their positions prior to 28 June 2006. Ireland and all other EU Member States voted in favour of the Resolution.

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 contravention of international humanitarian law. The Government and our EU partners have reminded all parties of their obligation to protect civilian lives. Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself against attack, but not at the expense of the lives and welfare of innocent civilians.

The terrible violence of recent months 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. We have argued strongly that the only way forward for the Israeli and the Palestinian people is the negotiation of a viable two-State solution. The EU 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.

All parties have an obligation to seize the opportunity to rebuild the peace process and to avoid further tragedies such as those witnessed in the Occupied Territories in recent weeks.