The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) today urged the Government to use its influence in Europe and in the United Nations to secure Israeli approval for international observers to enter the West Bank and Gaza.
|
"The US are international brokers of the Middle East peace process but have so far failed to deliver. We are asking the European Community to take a strong role in the process, and Ireland with its understanding of peace negotiations and its position in the EU has a big role in this," said IPSC Secretary Mr Adnan Shabab.
The IPSC is holding a one-hour vigil from noon tomorrow outside the US Embassy in Dublin to urge the US administration to insist that Israel return to talks with Palestine rather than engaging in military action.
It is also calling on the Bush administration to demand that the Sharon government allows international observers into the West Bank and Gaza.
"Palestine can not be punished for individual acts by extremists. The way forward is through negotiations," said IPSC Secretary, Mr Shabab. "The IPSC condemns outright the acts of extremists which exist on both sides."
But Israeli-born Dr Ronit Lentin, of Department of Sociology in Trinity College Dublin, was less optimistic about the role of international observers saying they are a good idea but not the solution.
"The solution is the end of the Israeli occupation forthwith," she said.
"That is my opinion and the opinion of a small Israeli peace group who are acting on the fringes of politics in Israel because the majority of the left have aligned themselves behind Mr Sharon."
Dr Lentin said the US is not putting real pressure on the Israeli government as it considers Mr Sharon as being a partner in its fight against terror rather than part of the problem.