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Statement by the Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Ireland , Mr. Brian Cowen T.D.,
on violence in Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank
“I am deeply concerned at the events which have taken place today in the West Bank and Gaza. Today’s events began with brutal murder of the Israeli soldiers being held in a police station in Ramallah and quickly to ever greater levels of violence.
“This follows on two weeks of disturbances which have left one hundred dead and possibly thousands injured.
“This Government deplore the loss of life which has taken place and I have already extended my deepest sympathy to the families of those who were killed as well as to those who were injured. Equally, I offer my sympathy to all the victims of today’s violence.
“I renew my call on both sides to exercise the utmost restraint and to do everything in their power to avoid further escalation and to try to restore calm.
“The danger that this conflict might extend further has to be averted.
“Despite the tragic events of today and the past two weeks, it is vitally important that Israelis and Palestinians should strive to renew the Peace Process. The negotiations towards a comprehensive peace settlement offer the only hope that such confrontations and loss of life can be avoided in the future
“The Taoiseach and I will be discussing the current situation at the European Council tomorrow.
“The Government also expresses regret at the death of at least four American sailors in a terrorist attack on a US naval vessel near Aden earlier today.”
Press Section
12 October 2000
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