Minister Ahern warns against further escalation in Gaza

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD, has warned that a further escalation of violence in Gaza can only bring death and tragedy to Israelis and Palestinians and will seriously undermine the prospect of achieving a two-State solution. 

The Minister stated:

“I am extremely concerned by the escalation of violence in Gaza in recent days.  I utterly condemn both the firing of rockets on Israeli towns, and the killing of an Israeli student in Sderot on Wednesday, and the large numbers of civilian killings,  including a baby and several children, in Israeli air attacks on Gaza.  It is in the interests of the Israeli and Palestinian people that all parties now meet their responsibilities and end the violence.

At this point, there are no easy options, and there are certainly no military solutions.  The only way forward is to restore momentum to the political process which is being led by Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas.  I appeal to all parties to use their influence to achieve an urgent ceasefire, bringing an end to all rocket attacks by Palestinian armed groups and all Israeli military action in the Occupied Territories”.

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Press
29/02/08