Written answers

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East Peace Process

10:00 pm

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will note that a recent political humanitarian delegation to enter the Gaza Strip consisted of 100 delegates across the political spectrum from 40 countries; if he will further note that around 1.6 million persons are besieged in the Gaza Strip with insufficient supplies of medicine in the area and that, according to the World Health Organisation, the water supply is far below standard and is deteriorating; if he will recognise that the economy and health service of the Gaza Strip are unable to continue with the current export and import ban on goods and that the ordinary day-to-day lives of persons in the area are severely affected, with high incidences of psychological problems; if he will note the demise of the Gazan fishing industry since the restrictions imposed on their territorial waters; if he will further note that young persons in Gaza cannot leave the area for education or job opportunities; if he will further note the importance of the two main political parties of Gaza agreeing to have democratic elections in the spring of 2012 and the call on the international community to support those democratic aims and work towards ending the siege of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40220/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am aware that a delegation from the Council for European Palestinian Relations travelled to Gaza last month to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Government's position on the blockade of Gaza is well-known. I regard the blockade as it is practised as completely unjust, counter-productive and contrary to international humanitarian law. Ireland has consistently sought, both nationally and at EU level, to maintain a focus on the need to bring the blockade to an end. I would hope to visit Gaza myself in the near future in order to see for myself the conditions currently obtaining on the ground. The slight relaxation in the blockade of Gaza last year, while welcome, has not gone nearly far enough or fast enough. While overall volumes transferred to Gaza have increased, they remain at only one-third of pre-blockade levels. There is a flourishing tunnel economy providing goods at elevated prices to replace goods not imported through Israel. This simply strengthens Hamas as it gives them a reliable source of funding and runs contrary to Israel's own interests. It also most heavily impacts on the poorest citizens in Gaza, who are unable to afford smuggled goods.

Of similar concern is the almost complete lack of provision for exports from Gaza, without which economic life and employment cannot recover, leaving more than half the population directly dependent on humanitarian aid. Exports at almost negligible levels are only permitted to Europe. Before 2007, 85% of goods exported from Gaza were destined for the West Bank and Israel. The security rationale employed by Israel to justify the blockade – preventing weapons entering Gaza – does not stand up to scrutiny concerning goods leaving Gaza for export. There can be no justifiable reason for denying Gaza access to its natural market of the West Bank and Israel.

The volume of construction materials being allowed into Gaza is entirely insufficient for the essential reconstruction needs of both people and infrastructure. Hamas and other groups of most concern to Israel are readily able to access building materials through the tunnel economy. The Israeli restrictions therefore impact principally on the UN and other international bodies, who can only use materials from authorised sources. I welcome the partial moves last month to enable the importation of construction material for ten factories under a supervision and control mechanism to ensure that the raw materials reach their intended destinations. I hope this mechanism is expanded to enable UNRWA and other international bodies import sufficient construction material for the reconstruction of schools and other essential infrastructure. These are key issues that I will continue to focus on in discussion bilaterally with the Israeli authorities, as well as in international fora.

Subsequent to the reconciliation agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas in May 2011, agreement has been provisionally reached on the holding of parliamentary elections next year while efforts continue to form a Palestinian government of national unity. Reconciliation amongst all Palestinian parties remains extremely important and desirable, in the context of achieving further progress towards the overall goal of a comprehensive negotiated peace settlement, based on the two-State solution, between Israel and the Palestinians. Ireland will continue to support strongly all efforts aimed at advancing Palestinian reconciliation as well, of course, at ending the unjust blockade and securing the opening of all crossing points into Gaza to all normal movement, in and out.

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