The Irish Government does not agree with Israeli attempts to delegitimise Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said today.
Mr Brian Cowen told the Dáil today if Chairman Arafat’s support within the territories further diminished, then Israel could expect increased violence.
"Ireland sees Yasser Arafat as the indispensable partner for dialogue. He alone has the stature among Palestinians to end violence and to negotiate a lasting peace with Israel," Mr Cowen said.
He said the Government does not agree with Israel’s assessment that the Palestinian Authority sponsors terrorism.
The policy of attacking police stations and security forces and ongoing incursions into Palestinian territories undermines the Palestinian leader, Mr Yasser Arafat’s, chances of preventing attacks on Israelis, Mr Cowen contended.
Mr Cowen said adopting the Mitchell principles is the best way to attain peace in the Middle East.
The Minister said both parties should speedily adopt the Mitchell principles in their entirety but warned that neither side should attempt to cherry-pick aspects of the former US senator’s proposals.
"It is neither safe nor realistic to expect Yasser Arafat to go beyond a certain point without corresponding steps by the Israeli government," he said.
Mr Cowen told the Dáil that the EU General Affairs Council on Monday agreed that Israel should stop their settlement programme, lift restrictions on Palestinians, withdraw military occupation and halt extra-judicial killings.