Israel was entitled to defend itself against suicide bombings but not to violate international humanitarian law, the Irish Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Richard Ryan has told the Security Council in New York.
He said the "legitimate rights and aspirations" of the Palestinian people had been frustrated for far too long. Making a desert and calling it peace was hardly wise policy.
"My delegation has said many times in this chamber that Israel is entitled to take measures to defend itself against the terrorists who engage in suicide bombings. In doing so, however, it is not entitled to violate international humanitarian law. It is also not entitled to suppress the economic and social life of an entire population.
"It is not entitled to restrict the movement of humanitarian aid or to put people's lives at risk through preventing the movement of ambulances.
"Recklessly endangering of the lives of civilians is criminal and counter-productive.
"Irrespective of the outcome of the current Israeli military campaign, the essential problem remains that the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people have been frustrated for far too long.
"We have said many times in this chamber that the interests of Israeli security are not served by holding the entire Palestinian people in a state of subjection. They are best served by engaging in a meaningful political process leading to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace."
Ireland also called on the Palestinian Authority, for its part, to respond "positively and fully" to the call for a ceasefire. He said Ireland greatly welcomed the mission of the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, to the region.
Resolutions of the Council meant that there should be no delay on Israel's part in turning its tanks around and withdrawing the troops. "The demand of the Council, therefore, was not for withdrawal when circumstances permitted, or on any incremental basis: it meant Israeli withdrawal now," the Ambassador said.
"Making a desert, whether militarily, politically or economically, and calling it peace is hardly wise policy. This is something that should be especially pondered by Israel. Both sides know what must be done for the sake of their peoples: let this be done without any further delay," Mr Ryan concluded.
Meanwhile, despite US objections, Arab nations decided to press for another Security Council resolution yesterday to warn Israel to pull its troops and tanks out of Palestinian cities and ask for a "third party" presence to oversee future agreements.
The Palestinian UN observer, Mr Nasser al-Kidwa, said Arab states would increase pressure until Israel withdrew its troops. "The Council is doing its job, but Israel is not heeding the word of the Council," he said.