Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Israel's continuing blockade of Gaza, in particular, on its arbitrary prohibition of items such as tinned meat, tomato paste, clothing, shoes and notebooks (details supplied). [25554/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I have stated in this House and elsewhere, I consider the continued effective blockade of Gaza by Israel to be both morally unacceptable and politically mistaken. I have consistently emphasised, in discussions with my EU colleagues and directly to Israeli Ministers, my view that the blockade should be brought to an end immediately, and the crossing points opened without restrictions on the normal movement of persons and goods.

The main reasons advanced by the Israeli authorities for these restrictions were attacks on Israel from Gaza and the continued holding of the kidnapped Corporal Shalit. I have repeatedly condemned both these actions on behalf of the Government. However, neither are the responsibility of the people of Gaza as a whole and it is unacceptable to punish them collectively in the general hope that this will generate pressure on the Hamas authorities in Gaza.

After two years of this blockade, this policy has completely failed in its goal of undermining the control of Gaza by Hamas. If anything, it has only served to increase support for Hamas and other radical and militant groups, both by directly radicalising young Palestinians and by destroying the economic enterprises which could offer them an alternative path in life. It is also steadily eroding the sympathy which has existed internationally for Israel's real concerns about security.

As I have stated in Dáil Éireann, the decisions as to which items are or are not allowed into Gaza have defied all comprehension. The blocking of food deliveries has understandably created the greatest anger, in due course leading to an Israeli decision to allow all food imports. It is clear, however, that some foodstuffs continue to be blocked on the basis that they are luxuries, not necessities, and that the total level of food imports is restricted to just above what is needed for subsistence.

Frankly, it is also difficult to discount altogether the possibility that the interests of Israeli food producers and storage companies are involved in the decisions governing the supply of foods and other goods to a population of 1.4 million people, as well as the restrictions on exports by producers in Gaza. Growers of fruit, vegetables and flowers in Gaza are of course unable to remain in business if they cannot export their produce when it is ready.

The only acceptable course of action, and the one which is in Israel's own interests, is to end this blockade immediately.