Irish Government response to citizen's enquiry during the
mounting Gaza crisis.
From:
#HQ-MINISTER - Correspondance
Sent: 21 January 2008 16:17
To: Gaffey Michael HQ-POLITICAL
Subject: FW: for the attention of Michael Gaffey
director Middle East
Dear Ms. Braddell,
We have been following the situation in Gaza
and the West Bank very closely in recent weeks, and are
in close contact with the Israelis, the Palestinians and
other EU Member States in order to try to ensure both
relief for the ordinary people suffering in Gaza and the
conditions for poltiical negotiations for the
creation of a Palestinian State uniting the peope of
the West Bank and Gaza which can guarantee the rights of
the Palestinian people.
The
Government has made clear its deep concern at the
deteriorating situation on many occasions in recent
weeks. I attach for your information the text of a
statement issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
today in relation to the unacceptable situation in
Gaza. Ireland's position, which has been
articulated strongly within the EU and in direct contacts
with the Israelis, the Palestinians and others is that
there can be no military solution to the Israeli -
Palestinian conflict, and that the only way forward for
the Israeli and the Palestinian people is the negotiation
of a viable two-State solution, with the establishment of
an independent and democratic Palestinian State.
The EU has made it clear in this regard that it will not
recognise any changes to the 1967 borders which are not
freely negotiated between the parties, and that continued
settlement construction and the construction of the
separation barrier on occupied land are illegal under
international law and undermine the prospects for the
achievement of a viable Palestinian State.
Since
early December, the Minister has made it clear on many
occasions that the Government welcomes the vital
opportunity offered by the Annapolis Conference to
commence negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian
Authority on final status issues. However, he has
also stated plainly that the credibility of the
negotiations will be undermined if there is not an
urgent improvement in the daily lives of the Palestinian
people. This requires an immediate an end to all
violence in and from the Occupied Territories, an
immediate and genuine freeze in all construction of
settlements in occupied territory, urgent action to allow
freedom of movement for the Palestinian people and an end
to all policies with the objective of isolating the
people of Gaza. The Government will continue to
pursue this line in all its contacts with the parties in
the region and with our partners in the EU. The
Minister and his EU coleagues will discuss the situation
in detail when they meet at the General Affairs and
External Relations Council in Brussels next Monday.
Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Representative Office in
Ramallah are also in close contact daily with the
Israelis and the Palestinians at all levels in order to
emphasise the strong view of the Government and people of
Ireland that the current situation is not sustainable and
must be replaced by genuine political movement and a
clear improvement in the daily lives of the Palestinian
people.
Yours sincerely,
Michael
Gaffey
enclosure:
Press Office 21
January 2008
Minister
Ahern calls for the immediate resumption of fuel
deliveries to Gaza
The Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern TD, has called on Israel
urgently to restore fuel supplies to Gaza. Hundreds of
thousands of homes, as well as hospitals, schools and
factories, have been without power since Israel cut
supplies of fuel and sealed border crossings into Gaza on
Friday. Gaza city was blacked-out on Sunday night
and the UN has warned of the grave humanitarian
implications if hospitals cannot operate.
Minister Ahern
stated: I call on Israel immediately to
resume fuel supplies to Gaza. I am seriously concerned
about the humanitarian consequences if the decision to
halt supplies is not reversed at once. It is not
acceptable, in particular, that hospitals are now relying
on emergency generators for essential power. These
are not designed for continuous use and the consequences
will be dire for patients when the generators fail.
Schools and factories have also been affected.
I am
also deeply concerned at the recent upsurge in violence
in Gazaand in particular by the deaths of civilians.
The situation has been particularly serious over the past
week. Like all sovereign States, Israel has the
right and duty to protect its citizens, including from
the rocket attacks which I condemn, but its actions must
be proportionate.
ENDS+++
Press Office
21 January
2008
Minister Dermot
Ahern TD Speaks in Leinster House
Dear Ms. Braddell,
Thank you very much for your email. I
attach a further statement on the situation, which was
issued by the Minister this afternoon following a meeting
with Trocaire. With best wishes
Sincerely
Michael
Gaffey
Minister Ahern calls for
urgent end to isolation of the people of Gaza
The Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Dermot Ahern TD, this afternoon accepted a petition from
Trócaire calling for the removal of the security barrier
in the Occupied Territories.
Speaking at Leinster House, Minister
Ahern stated that the petition underlined the strong
support in Ireland for Israeli and Palestinian leaders
who are working to build a lasting and just peace based
on the establishment of a viable, independent and
democratic Palestinian State. He emphasised the
Governments serious concern that events on the
ground in the West Bank and Gaza threaten to undermine
the political process launched at Annapolis in November.
The Minister stated:
This should be a time of hope
and opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians. Prime
Minister Olmert and President Abbas have shown great
courage in beginning negotiations with the aim of
reaching a final status agreement by the end of this
year. But there is now a real danger that events on
the ground will seriously undermine the political
process. The continued expansion of settlements and
the building of the security barrier on occupied land are
clearly illegal under international law. They are
also a significant obstacle to peace.
I am particularly concerned about
the violence in Gaza and the deterioration in the
conditions of daily life for families in the territory.
There are no military solutions available. The time
has come for an end to all violence in and from the Occupied
Territories. I repeat my call for an end to the
isolation of the people of Gaza, the opening of crossing
points for people and supplies, and a genuine freeze on
the construction of settlements anywhere in the Occupied Territories.
Decisive action is urgently needed to give the political
process a real chance to succeed.
22 January 2008
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