Charlie O'Connor
Question:254 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is monitoring the developing crisis in Palestine; the contacts with interested parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28747/04]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2004
Questions (214, 215)
Written answers
I am, of course, monitoring the developing situation in the region and, in concert with Ireland's partners in the European Union, maintaining contact with the parties. I expect to meet representatives of both the Palestinian and Israeli Governments at the EuroMed ministerial meeting in the Hague on 29 November. I will continue to press upon both parties our view that the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict can best be pursued through the quartet road map, based on two sovereign states living side by side in peace and security.
Richard Bruton
Question:255 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s position regarding the settlement of Palestinian areas by Israel and the erection of a dividing wall in the occupied territories; the position that Ireland has taken at the UN in respect of resolutions to restrict the activities of Israel; the status of these resolutions; the Government’s position on proposals by Israel for limited withdrawal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28849/04]
View answerThe Government has consistently taken the view that the settlements established in the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli authorities are illegal. Any changes to the pre-1967 borders must be agreed by the parties.
As regards the Israeli separation barrier, Ireland acknowledges the right, indeed the responsibility, of the Israeli Government to protect its people, including, if it so wishes, by a security fence. Our objection to the fence is to the line that it takes. The construction of the fence within the occupied Palestinian territories is contrary to international law. In the short term, the current line of the fence divides Palestinian communities and creates severe hardship for them. Equally troubling is the long-term impact, which tends to perpetuate facts on the ground and make it more difficult to reach a final settlement. The Israeli authorities are well aware of the Government's views on this matter.
With regard to the proposed Israeli withdrawal, the EU has identified criteria that are essential to make such a withdrawal acceptable to the international community. It must take place in the context of the road map, it must be a step towards a two state solution, it must not involve a transfer of settlement activity to the West Bank, there must be an organised and negotiated handover of responsibility to the Palestinian Authority and Israel must facilitate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza.
Ireland and the EU have repeatedly reaffirmed these positions, including in our statements at the United Nations and most recently through my predecessor's address to the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2004, as well as during our time on the Security Council. The UN has adopted a large number of resolutions on these issues over the years and Ireland has consistently supported those resolutions which reflected the positions I have set out. I note, in particular, our support for the UN General Assembly resolution adopted in July this year by an overwhelming majority in response to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the separation barrier.