Vol. 546 No. 4
59 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request the United States Government to discontinue the supply of arms to Israel in view of the manner in which they are being used against the Palestinian people. [31997/01]
Like other States, Israel has legitimate defence requirements. The arrangements between the United States and Israel for the supply of defence material is primarily a matter between the Governments of those countries. I have no plans to make representations to the United States Government on this matter.
However, the use of weapons of war, such as attack helicopters and strike aircraft, in heavily populated areas is a matter of grave concern and is both disproportionate and inappropriate. As I said to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on 4 December, there is no military solution to this conflict, only a political one. I have consistently urged the Government of Israel to cease its military action against the Palestinian Authority and to renew negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement. I repeated this position when I met the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Shimon Peres, in Brussels on Monday.
