During the period 25 to 29 November 2013, I visited Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. On the first day of my visit to the Middle East, I met with Fayez Ghosen, the Lebanese Minister for Defence, who highlighted the enormous burden placed on the Lebanese Government by the Syrian crisis. Minister Ghosen stressed that particular problems had arisen in health, education and security and also highlighted the importance of support and financial assistance from the International community. We also discussed the important role of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its contribution to the cause of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. Minister Ghosen expressed his gratitude for the Irish contribution to UNIFIL and mentioned, in particular, the warm relationship between the Irish troops and the local Lebanese community.
While in Lebanon I also met with representatives from UN Refugee Agency, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the European Union External Action Service, at which the significant impact of the tragedy unfolding in Syria for the wider region and for Lebanon in particular was also discussed. The discussions also focused on the appalling toll of the crisis in Syria in which 120,000 people have lost their lives and some 7 million people have been displaced.
I also had an opportunity to visit Irish troops in the UNIFIL UN Post based in South Lebanon. Here I attended a Transfer of Authority ceremony to mark the handover of Command of the joint Irish/Finnish Battalion to Finland. In Jerusalem I was briefed by Irish Commanders deployed with United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and by the Head of Mission of United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), Ireland's Major General Michael Finn.
During the course of several other meetings, I met with the Israeli Minister for Defence Mr. Moshe Ya’alon, the Israeli Justice Minister Ms. Tzipi Livni, Dr. Nabil Sha’ath, the Commissioner for International Relations of Fateh and Mr. Bob Turner Gaza Field Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.These meetings proved a valuable update and perspective on the difficulties in the region, their impact on those affected and possible future outcomes. Discussions centred on a broad range of issues affecting the Middle East and in respect of areas in which Ireland has a direct interest. These discussions included the role of our troops in supporting peacekeeping in the Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon, and Ireland's support for a Two State solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
During my meetings in Israel, I took the opportunity to hear about the developments in the Middle East Peace Process, which is of course a subject of general interest in which Ireland has had a consistent interest. I also visited Ramallah specifically to hear the Palestinian perspective. My conversations with both sides underlined the considerable difficulties, which we all know need to be overcome, if an agreement is to be reached. For my part, I stressed the Government’s firm support for a Two State solution, the importance of seizing the present opportunity to reach agreement, and the need for visionary and courageous leadership on all sides if that is to be achieved.
I am pleased to note that the direct negotiations between the two sides, despite difficulties, are still continuing. Crucial to a successful outcome to the current talks is the building of trust between the parties and those on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides understanding and addressing in a substantive, detailed and tangible way the genuine concerns and fears of each other in order to bring about a durable and workable solution to issues in contention.
