As Winter Fast Approaches Israel Must Allow Basic Materials into Gaza for Repair of 40,000 Damaged Homes-Report of Oireachtas Committees Delegation
The EU Must Play More Active Role in the Middle East Peace Process and Use to Greater Effect its Economic and Political Influence
13 November 09
Israel must immediately open crossings into Gaza to allow humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials flow unimpeded to enable the UN to repair some of the 40,000 homes damaged during Israel’s military operation. A report published today by a delegation from the Oireachtas Committees on Foreign and European Affairs has said.
A cross party group of TDs visited Israel, Gaza and the Palestinian Territories to see at first hand the effects of military action in the region, the consequences this has had for the civilian population and what lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process could be applied to the Middle East.
During the visit, Committee members met with some of the principal protagonists on all sides and went to some of the areas most devastated by Israel’s military campaign.
Dr Michael Woods, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee said;
"During our visit, we saw for ourselves the total absence of any proper reconstruction work for the people of Gaza. This means there is a lack of basic materials such as windows and doors to repair some of the 40,000 homes damaged during Israel’s military intervention.
As winter closes in this situation is becoming more and more intolerable. Israel has a moral obligation to open the crossings to these essential materials to allow the UN to do its crucial work. Failure to do this will only bring even further suffering on an already marginalised group."
The report also underlines the need for the EU to play a more active role in the Middle East peace process. It should use to greater effect its significant economic and political influence to work more actively with the US administration to achieve a lasting peace in the region.
Chairman of the European Affairs Committee, Bernard Durkan TD said;
"The EU, should begin looking at practical ways it can contribute to post-conflict arrangements aimed at ensuring the sustainability of peace agreements. It is important to demonstrate to both sides the substantial benefits that will flow from coming together and agreeing a comprehensive peace. This would act as in an incentive to return to the negotiating table.
The EU and in particular the two protagonists must not allow the opportunity of an engaged US to slip them by and must do all they can to get back to the negotiating table and agree a comprehensive peace deal based on the two state solution.
First and foremost Israel must end its illegal settlement activities, including those in East Jerusalem and including natural growth and must dismantle all illegal outposts. These settlements are an obstacle to peace and are strangling the life out of the economic development of the Palestinian Territories. We were particularly struck by the impact of the illegal settlement in the city of Hebron and its impact on child poverty with many Palestinian families relying on food aid from NGOs and the UN."
During their short fact-finding visit, the delegation met with significant players from all sides including the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister, the Foreign Minister for the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Head of the UN mission in Gaza, Irishman John Ging.
Members of the delegation visited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sites in Gaza, toured East Jerusalem and went to the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset).
The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affair Committee, Dr Michael Woods, TD and by Chairman of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, Bernard Durkan TD. It included Dr Rory O’Hanlon TD, Mr Michael D Higgins TD and Joe Costello TD.
ENDS
Please click on the link to view details of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs
Third Report: Joint visit to Gaza, Israel and the Palestinian Territories 20 – 24 July 2009
Please click on the link to view details of the Joint Committee on European Affairs Tenth Report: Joint visit to Gaza, Israel and the Palestinian Territories 20 – 24 July 2009
Daniel English
Oireachtas Communications Unit
01 618 4484
087 6949926
daniel.english@oireachtas.ie