Middle East moves backed

Support for current peace efforts in the Middle East was expressed by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs…

Support for current peace efforts in the Middle East was expressed by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, during a 45-minute meeting in Dublin yesterday with the Israeli Cabinet Secretary, Mr Isaac Herzog. Stressing the Government's evenhanded approach to the situation, Ms O'Donnell drew a parallel with the Northern Ireland peace process, which had demonstrated the need for compromise on both sides. Mr Herzog presented his government's view of the latest developments and outlined the perspective of the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, on the peace talks currently under way at the Egyptian resort of Taba. During his visit to Ireland, Mr Herzog also met the chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Desmond O'Malley.