Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Middle East Peace Process

10:00 am

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the steps necessary to progress the Middle East peace process; the steps being taken at EU level to move this forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29586/10]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which, unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU colleagues, he has managed to positively engage with both sides in the Arab Israeli conflict with a view to identifying and prioritising issues such as Gaza, resettlement, human rights violations and the treatment of prisoners by either side; and the steps being taken to progress these issues with particular reference to the need for all parties to recognise each other's existence and right to exist. [29612/10]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the implications for the Middle East peace process of the most recent evictions of civilians from their homes in East Jerusalem. [29655/10]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken through the aegis of the EU to encourage the peace process in the Middle East with particular reference to the need to address the Gaza issue and Israeli resettlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30178/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 53, 79 and 396 together.

While much attention has rightly been concentrated on the recent events surrounding Gaza and their aftermath, it is crucial that we continue to focus on the efforts needed to reach a comprehensive political settlement. Ultimately this is the only way to fully achieve our goals of ending the occupation and its inherent injustices, ending the isolation of Gaza, and providing for the long-term peace and security of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

The proximity talks under the chairmanship of Senator Mitchell commenced in May and are expected to continue for a period of four months, after this the parties will consider the basis for continuing them, or indeed progressing to direct talks, which we would all hope will be possible.

The key issues are borders (including the question of Jerusalem), security, refugees and water. These are difficult issues, but they have been debated for decades now, many ideas and visions have been put forward and the parties have a broad understanding of each others' needs and positions. I believe that these issues are all capable of being resolved, within the two year timeframe set out by President Obama, if the parties are genuinely willing to find solutions.

The process initially involves Israel and the Palestinian Authority but in due course, if progress allows, the wider issues of Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and general Israeli-Arab relations will need to be addressed as well if we are to attain settlement.

We are all very well aware of the mutual distrust and lack of confidence on the part of both the parties that the other is genuinely serious. We are also aware of and concerned by the possibilities of events on the ground derailing the process, intentionally or otherwise. The Irish Government strongly supports the EU, President Obama and his Administration, and the Quartet in their efforts to urge all parties to engage seriously, to refrain from negative acts on the ground, to be mindful of the needs of the other protagonists, and to do all in their power to achieve a final settlement of this destructive conflict.

I would commend in this respect the efforts of President Abbas to speak to the Israeli media, and thus to the Israeli people in order to set out his vision for a shared and peaceful future. I am struck by the contrast between this example of real leadership, and the dead end represented by some elements of Hamas who seem to be fixated on destroying the facilities built by UNRWA for the childrens' Summer Games in Gaza.

Ireland, with our EU partners, will continue to encourage and support the parties in their engagement with each other, and to consider any and all practical steps we can take to help the process, bearing in mind that we need to be ready to assist over the long haul. Ireland will also remain focussed, directly and at EU and UN levels, on the key human rights and justice issues which continue to affect the daily lives of the people of Gaza and the other Occupied Territories, and which have the potential to derail political efforts.

I agree absolutely that the continuing relentless process of settlement expansion and squeezing out of Palestinian families, especially in Jerusalem – which is continuing even if there has been some slowing of the pace this year – is both dangerous and incomprehensible, against a background where both sides are supposed to be committed to reaching a final settlement of borders within a short period.

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