Current Gaza conflict is a replica of 2009 – Burke

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, has said that the current conflict in Gaza is a replica of what happened in 2009, when he visited the region, and that it is time for the EU to show the Palestinians it is serious about a peaceful solution. Senator Burke was speaking today in the Seanad which was reconvened to discuss the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“What has occurred in Gaza over the last four weeks is a replica of what happened there in 2009.  Between 27^th December 2008 and 18^th January 2009, 1,440 people died, including 333 Palestinian children.  I visited Gaza as part of a European Parliament Delegation in February 2009, four weeks after the hostilities ceased.  I saw for myself the horrific damage that had been caused in addition to the injuries and loss of life. It was evident to me that there had been many human rights violations and breaches of international law. 

“Five years on, the same atrocities have occurred over a four week period and we are further away from any lasting solution to this conflict.

“Gaza is the biggest open air prison in the world with 1.8 million people locked in to an area measuring 35 miles long by 10 miles wide, similar to an area of land stretching from Cork City to Youghal.  The vast majority of the population are now totally dependent on food supplies from the food centres provided by the international community.  When I was there I visited one such food station and at that time over 30,000 were catered for each day.  Since 2009 a greater number of the population have become dependent on these food stations in order to survive. 

“The Palestinian territories have now been occupied and controlled by Israel for over forty seven years, each year it is one step forward and ten steps back.  In order to bring all parties to the table, I believe that Ireland, together with all other EU countries, should take immediate and decisive action. I support the condemnation by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, of the violence on all sides and for the implementation of the two state solution to bring lasting peace to the region.

“Serious consideration should now be given to the call by Amnesty International for the following:

• An immediate cessation of attacks by all sides that are indiscriminate and disproportionate i.e. direct attacks on civilians, their homes and other civilian property.
• The lifting of the blockade of Gaza which amounts to collective punishment of the people.
• An immediate arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and armed Palestinian groups.
• Israel to halt the obstruction of relief for the civilian population of Gaza and allow sufficient medical and fuel supplies into Gaza.
• Humanitarian workers to be allowed safe passage into Gaza.
• Provision to be made for the evacuation of the wounded and dead and to facilitate urgent repairs to civilian infrastructure.
• The Commission of Inquiry adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on 23^rd July to have unrestricted access to all relevant areas, the requisite authority to carry out its task and make recommendations to all sides, and the Security Council of the UN to guarantee non-repetition.
• The report resulting from the Commission of Inquiry’s investigation to include a plan for the prosecution of individuals suspected of ordering or carrying out war crimes.
• The Palestinian Authority to accede to the Rome Statute allowing any war crimes committed in the conflict to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court.

“The adoption of these measures is the only way that those living in Palestine will become convinced that the European Union is serious about trying to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict. If we stand idly by, the atrocities which occurred in 2009 and July 2014 will again be repeated within the next five years.”

Video of Senator Burke in Gaza in 2009 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObZpHeCVY9Q