The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen, has today called on the Israeli government to exercise the "greatest restraint and prudence" in the aftermath of Palestinian suicide attacks at the weekend.
Mr Cowen said he was gravely concerned at news of Israeli helicopter attacks this afternoon in the vicinity of Palestinian president Mr Yasser Arafat’s headquarters.
He urged Israel to be prudent in its actions so as not to risk a further escalation of the conflict which has been ongoing since September of last year.
Labour spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Mr Michael D Higgins, also condemed the attacks and said diplomatic and political efforts to put the Middle East peace process back on track must take immediate priority.
In a series of suicide and shooting attacks against Israelis over the weekend at least 25 people have been left dead and more than 210 others wounded.
Mr Cowen, who condemned the suicide attacks outright, also extended his sympathy to the injured and bereaved. He said "no cause justifies the deliberate taking of innocent lives".
In a letter to Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Shimon Peres, Mr Cowen said that while it was essential the perpetrators of the weekend’s crimes be brought to justice, "it would only serve the cause of those who are opposed to peace to go beyond this legitimate requirement".
Mr Cowen urged the Israeli Government, "in this hour of great tragedy", to continue working towards finding a way forward to bring an end to the conflict, and the toll of human life.
"There is a real danger now that a cycle of violence will grip Israel and Palestine," said Mr Higgins.
He said Mr Cowen should now play a lead role in coordinating an EU peace initiative by holding bilateral talks with his fellow Ministers and the EU's senior foreign policy representative, Mr Javier Solana.