Foreign Conflicts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004

Wednesday, 30 June 2004

Questions (124)

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

187 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention was drawn to the Palestinian Human Rights Centre’s report this week; and if he contacted the Israeli Embassy about Israeli troops continuing to shell Palestinian residential areas, especially in Khan Yunis and Rafah in the Gaza Strip and that Israeli occupying forces conducted five military incursions into Palestinian areas and destroyed two houses in Rafah and razed 14 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Deir al-Balah. [19663/04]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I am aware of the report. The Government's and the EU's concern at many of the operations conducted by the Israeli Defence Forces in the occupied territories was brought to the attention of the Israeli authorities on many occasions.

On 17 May, EU Foreign Ministers met and they called on the Israeli Government to cease the demolition of Palestinian houses. The quartet statement on 4 May emphasised that the Israeli Government should refrain from attacks on civilians and the demolition of Palestinian homes and property as a punitive measure or to facilitate Israeli construction.

The recent European Council called for renewed efforts towards a comprehensive ceasefire and reiterated that violence and terror have no place in the search for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.