Written answers

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

Middle East Peace Process

6:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he, directly or in conjunction with his EU colleagues or the UN has taken action to address the ongoing issues in the Middle East with particular reference to Gaza; if particular initiatives have been taken or are expected to be taken at any level to facilitate and emphasise the need for negotiation in place of retaliation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31960/09]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The priority for the EU and the international community in the Middle East right now must be to continue to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to engage in a viable peace process with the vision of a settlement which will result in two sovereign States, Israel and Palestine, coexisting side by side in peace and security. The EU fully supports and is actively cooperating with the current US-led mediation efforts aimed at achieving a settlement freeze and resumption of negotiations. In addition, the EU is also considering what specific measures it can take to buttress and support a solution, when and if an agreement is finally reached. I feel strongly that it is only through the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian State that the root causes of the conflict can be adequately addressed and I will ensure that the Government will contribute in whatever way it can to help achieve this goal.

It is clear that the situation in Gaza remains very serious. On the humanitarian level, insufficient amounts of aid are reaching the people of the territory. Recent reports have painted a bleak picture of life in Gaza, with critical shortages of basic supplies and an increasing sense of despair amongst its people. Israel also continues to largely refuse the entry of raw materials into Gaza, preventing any substantial progress being made towards the reconstruction that is so badly needed following the Israeli military offensive in December 2008 and January 2009. This status quo is simply not sustainable and I am concerned about the potential for a further deterioration in the situation in Gaza and the spectre of a possible resumption of large scale violence.

Fundamentally, the situation can only be reversed by an immediate and unconditional reopening of the territory's crossing points without restrictions on the normal movement of persons and goods. This is a point that I and other EU colleagues have made repeatedly to the Israeli authorities. As I have stated many times, I consider the continued blockade of Gaza by Israel to be both morally unacceptable and politically mistaken. It serves not only to radicalise the people of the territory, but also inflames tensions across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and indeed the Arab world. It also undermines moderates on both sides while strengthening the hands of extremists. The blockade of the territory has persisted for too long and must be brought to an end. I will continue to press this point in any contacts I have with the Israeli authorities. While it is heartening that some progress is being made towards the resumption of peace negotiations, we simply cannot afford to neglect the situation in Gaza and the effect it has on both its people and the wider peace process.

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