asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the continuing widespread killing of Palestinian civilians by Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, if the Government have considered the introduction of political or diplomatic sanctions to protest at the policies of the Israeli Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arab-Israeli Conflict.
19.
The Government are convinced that the only certain way of ending the cycle of repression and violence which for so long has afflicted the lives of those Palestinians living in the occupied territories is by means of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Such a settlement should guarantee the right of all states in the region, including Israel, to exist within secure frontiers and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination with all that this implies. The imposition of sanctions of the kind suggested by the Deputy would not contribute toward achievement of this objective. Neither would it lead to a reduction in the present level of tension in the area.
I would reiterate the Government's deep concern at events in the occupied territories. I can assure Deputies that the Government, in co-operation with our partners in the Twelve, are continuing to monitor closely developments in the territories and will continue to avail itself of all appropriate opportunities to convey that concern to the Israeli authorities.
The Government have taken a fairly strong stand on this issue, which we welcome. Has the question of sanctions of the nature proposed in relation to South Africa been discussed by the Government or have any moves been made in that direction in order to demonstrate to the Israeli Government our abhorrence of what is happening?
This country has been fairly outspoken and very explicit in its condemnation of these atrocities. The Government do what they can and parliamentarians have gone to the occupied territories. The views of the Irish people generally have been well articulated in this regard. Anything further the Government can do from time to time to try to bring this appallingly tragic situation to an end we will gladly do.
Has the Minister for Foreign Affairs pursued the matter through the UN, the EC or through diplomatic and political channels in order to get the support of other Governments who feel as our Government? Does he intend to pursue the matter in this way?
Yes, we continually do that. The Minister of State at my own Department was in Lebanon recently visiting the Irish troops there and availed of the opportunity to convey again to the Israeli authorities our deep concern and horror at this situation.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that the Israeli security forces have totally over-reacted? To my knowledge only one member of the Israel security forces has been killed, while over 80 Palestinian civilians have been shot when they were engaged in stone throwing. Would the Taoiseach not agree that they should have been apprehended rather than shot since they were unarmed in a military sense?
I do not wish to go into detail on the atrocities. Suffice it to say that we are all appalled at what took place there and would wish to see the situation brought to an end and peace restored. It emphasises the overriding need for a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Early in the conflict I wrote to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and suggested that he should invite in the Israeli Ambassador and convey to him our concern about what was happening in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Would the Taoiseach consider the time is now right for a repeat of that exercise?
I will consider that.
I agree with the thrust of the Taoiseach's response to this question. What is the present position in relation to the EPC process and response, for example, in relation to exports and imports between the occupied territories and the EC? What is the present position in regard to the right of the Palestinians in those areas to trade with the Community?
There has been progress in that direction. The other side of the coin is the question of sanctions. The view at the moment is that sanctions would not be beneficial.