After arduous and difficult negotiations at Wye Plantation, Israel and the Palestinians have reached an agreement known as the Wye Plantation Memorandum. This agreement is not a conclusion, but rather a new important phase in the pursuit of permanent peace in the Middle East.
Accordingly, Israel will have to relinquish part of its ancient homeland for the sake of achieving peace with its neighbours, the Palestinians. At the same time Israel must endeavour to ensure comprehensive security for its citizens. Israelis hope that this agreement will expedite the achievement of a full and lasting peace in the Middle East. There is now a greater hope that the children of the Middle East will know peace and not war. Nevertheless, the road to permanent peace is long, but this agreement is an important step forward.
Upon the implementation of the accord, the Palestinian authority will have control over some 40 per cent of the West Bank while exercising its jurisdiction over 98 per cent of the Palestinian inhabitants. The Palestinians for their part have committed themselves to carry out a concrete and verifiable plan, together with Israel, in fighting terrorism and its infrastructure - to stop vitriolic incitement to violence in the Palestinian media and at schools and kindergartens; and, most importantly, to annul the sections in the Palestinian national covenant, adopted 35 years ago, which contain provisions calling for the destruction of Israel (article 21) through armed struggle (article 9). This covenant has been a matter of paramount concern since the signing of the declaration of principles in September 1993.
The odious and abhorrent provisions in the covenant must be amended in an unambiguous manner by the only body empowered to do so, the Palestinian National Council. Anything less is not only inconsistent with the commitment undertaken by the Palestinians, but also casts doubt on the fundamental willingness on their part to live in peace with Israel.
Among other issues raised by Israel is the "transfer" of Palestinians wanted for murder and terrorist attacks committed in Israel, or against Israeli citizens. The Palestinian authority is obligated under the security plan to apprehend and prosecute suspected individuals who perpetrate acts of violence and terror. It is inconceivable and intolerable, especially for those who have either been wounded or have lost loved ones in terrorist attacks to accept a situation whereby the criminals whose actions have scarred them or who have murdered their loved ones go unpunished.
This agreement, which is based on principles of security and reciprocity, has reduced the dangers both to Israelis and Palestinians, as well as paving the way for peaceful coexistence. However, it will depend on whether or not all the details of the accord are carried out faithfully. Israel desires peace and wants the agreement to succeed.
Therefore, Israel has insisted that withdrawals from the territory will be in stages, contingent upon the Palestinians fulfilling their obligations. In view of the recent terrorist attack on a children's school bus at Nezarin Junction and moreover following the abhorrent car bombing in the Machane Yehuda market in the centre of Jerusalem on Friday morning, the market's busiest day, these obligations must be fulfilled by our Palestinian partners. This can be achieved not only through condemnation of the terrorist attacks, but also through decisive action against the infrastructure, the perpetrators and the supporters of terrorism. Without this kind of decisive action by the Palestinians, it will be impossible for any government of Israel to continue the peace process.
Over 300 innocent Israeli men, women and children have paid with their lives in terrorist attacks since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. These attacks have often been glorified and encouraged within the Palestinian leadership. Therefore, Palestinian actions with regard to security matters are most essential.
This agreement must not be allowed to exist in a vacuum and it must be utilised to reinvigorate the peace process, particularly the reconvening of bilateral negotiations between Israel and Syria and Israel and Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the signing ceremony called upon people of goodwill, of honesty and candour to support this important step for a secure future, a future of peace.
Israel expects the EU, which has been a major supporter of this peace process, to play a leading role in encouraging the Palestinians to fulfil their commitments, build trust and strengthen the "people to people" programmes in order to encourage an atmosphere of reconciliation.
Europe is called upon to lend its political and economic weight, in an even-handed manner, to lead the working regional economic development groups and to help create conditions conducive to raising the standard of living of the peoples of the Middle East.
Israel remains dedicated to the search for peace and is obligated to all agreements it has signed. Furthermore, Israel has expressed its willingness to proceed with negotiations on the permanent status issues which remain to be solved. Israel cannot, however, be expected to proceed unilaterally. The Palestinian side must fulfil its obligations to fight terrorism. If the threat of terror is left unchecked, the newly signed peace agreement will not survive.
Finally, having been here for some years, I have found that there are many similarities between Israel and Ireland. They are both small states, although Israel is much smaller (in fact, the whole of Israel would fit roughly into south Leinster and Munster). Both nations have a long history of suffering and both states were born in war and their inhabitants are living in the midst of conflict. Recently, both nations signed peace agreements and both agreements are based on trust, reciprocity and security. However, there is one great contrast: Israel, unlike Ireland, is a nation living under continual threat, even from countries outside its immediate vicinity and she must always be ready to defend herself to survive. Israel has had to fight for her survival and, unfortunately, must always remain vigilant.
Israel has established peaceful relations with Egypt and Jordan and hopes that this agreement with the Palestinians will convince her other Arab neighbours to pursue the path to peace, for the sake of the children of the Middle East.
