I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 58, 59, 148 and 149 together.
In the wake of the conflict in Gaza and the ceasefires of 18 January, progress is urgently needed on a number of fronts both to relieve the effects of the conflict and to try and ensure it is not repeated.
Firstly, it is frankly unacceptable that three months after the conflict we are still not seeing full and unimpeded access for humanitarian and reconstruction relief to Gaza. There continue to be frustrating and often baffling restrictions in the type and volume of materials Israel will allow into the territory, and large quantities of aid material remain backed up in storage in Israel and elsewhere, which itself is an expensive drain on aid agencies' resources. Families must be allowed to rebuild their homes, schools and workplaces. The economic blockade of Gaza and its people which has effectively been in place for almost two years is completely unjustified and should be brought to an end.
There remains a strong risk that the separate ceasefires declared in Gaza could break down, leading to a renewal of violence. I share the concern that the continuing albeit much reduced level of ongoing rocket attacks into Israel, and Israeli military actions in Gaza, could lead to an escalation of retaliation and the resumption of full scale fighting. Efforts had been under way, conducted by Egypt, to reach a more definite and durable ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which might provide a more stable context for reconstruction and for political progress. Regrettably, those talks became deadlocked in the last weeks of the previous Israeli Government. I hope that the new Israeli Government will continue, and that Egypt will continue to promote, those efforts.
I have spoken before in this House of my view that there must be thorough investigation of possible human rights abuses or contraventions of international law in the course of the recent conflict. An initial investigation into some incidents targeting UN facilities by a panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban is due to report to the Secretary General shortly, and he will then decide what further action to take. A commission appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, including a former Irish Army officer, has also recently been established. It is important to stress however that the investigation into these events must look at the actions of both sides, not just at those of Israeli forces. In this regard, we have seen credible reports in recent days by reputable human rights organisations of serious human rights violations committed by Hamas in Gaza, both during and since the recent conflict.
Looking further ahead, there are two further imperatives. Efforts to stabilise the ceasefires in Gaza can be no more than temporary solutions so long as the substantive blockade of the territory is continued. An understanding between Israel and Hamas, involving a ceasefire, prisoner releases and the release of Corporal Shalit, could be helpful in leading to a relaxation of the restrictions on Gaza, as could a Fatah-Hamas agreement on the involvement of the Palestinian Authority on the Gaza side of the crossings. But I would stress to the Israeli Government that, for as long as economic activity in Gaza is strangled, unemployed youth in a heavily overcrowded area will remain vulnerable to pressure from militant factions.
Finally, the urgent necessity of these issues relating to Gaza must not detract from the priority of restoring momentum and credibility to the negotiations for a comprehensive overall settlement, which made some progress last year but have been in limbo now since December. I have stressed all of these issues in my meetings in recent months with the Israeli authorities, with my EU colleagues and during my visit to the region. I will be discussing them again with our partners next week at the General Affairs and External Relations Council.
Finally, it is only fair to note that an important element in the disappointing progress on these issues since January has been the political changes and uncertainty in Israel. With a new Government now in place with a substantial majority, I look to the Israeli Government to take clear and constructive positions on these questions. It is particularly important, in this regard, that the Netanyahu Government give a clear and early indication of its willingness to abide by previous commitments and international agreements entered into by Israel.
