Ivor Callely
Question:105 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made to address the grave concerns at the crisis in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13072/01]
Written Answers - Middle East Peace Process.
The Government is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We deplore all acts of violence and call on both sides to this conflict to do all in their power to avoid further degeneration of the already serious situation.
It is essential that peace negotiations are resumed and that they address the central issues. Relaunching low level negotiations with very limited aims would fall short of what is required.
The Egyptian-Jordanian initiative is very promising. It offers a realistic way forward towards the resumption of negotiations. Ireland would welcome a response by the Israeli Government which could lead to this.
Security measures alone are not capable of building peace. What is required is a series of concurrent measures, including a lifting of the closures, an end to the withholding of revenues, implementation of existing agreements, an end to further settlement building, a de-escalation of the military response and a call by President Arafat to end the violence.
A return to normal life will not be possible unless the Israeli policy of settlement, which is at the core of this conflict, ceases. Palestinians see Israeli settlement policy as a flagrant denial of the peace process. In practice it has become a direct provocation to violence. This is evidenced by the very high level of casualties in the vicinity of settlements.
The achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace that recognises both the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the right of Israel to live in peace and security is the key to a better life for all the people of the region.