Israel must respect mandates of all Palestinian representatives, says Sinn Féin

THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT needs to respect the mandate of all Palestinian representatives and engage in a process of dialogue as a prerequisite to a comprehensive peace settlement, Sinn Féin has told An Phoblacht.

“This is the context of Sinn Féin’s critical engagement with Israeli representatives and the Israeli Government has been left in no doubt about our position,” Pat Sheehan MLA, head of Sinn Féin’s Middle East Desk, said.

“The nightmare of the Palestinian people has to end,” Pat Sheehan insisted.

He pointed out that Sinn Féin has stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate quest for freedom and statehood for many, many years.

“That work continues,” the Assembly member said emphatically.”

He continued:

 “Sinn Féin representatives promote the Palestinian cause in all the political institutions where we have representation – the Dáil and Seanad, the Assembly, the European Parliament and local councils.

“We have demanded the immediate lifting of the punitive and illegal siege of Gaza; we have stated that the deliberate bombing of civilian infrastructure in Gaza such as hospitals and schools constitutes a war crime and therefore ought to be investigated by the International Criminal Court; and we condemn the continuing occupation and annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem which contravenes international law and the Geneva Convention of 1949.

“We also support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.

“Unfortunately, to date, the Israeli Government is refusing to engage with all representatives of the Palestinian people. From our experience, any attempts to bring an end to conflict must involve maximum inclusivity. Dialogue has to be a central tenet of any attempt to make peace.

“Refusing to engage in dialogue, demonising opponents, treating them as non-citizens, stripping them of their rights and entitlements, of their self-esteem and integrity as human beings, engaging in censorship and vilification – all of this makes war easier and peace harder.

“It is a policy which guarantees a perpetuation of the cycle of conflict.

“The international experience of conflict resolution is clear: a political settlement is required and this is only possible if there is a recognition and acceptance of democratic mandates of all the protagonists. Dialogue is central to this. So too is the role of the international community.

“Sinn Féin has shared its experience of the Irish Peace Process with representatives of all the Palestinian groupings both here in Ireland and the Middle East, and while no two conflicts are the same there are nonetheless broad principles which can be helpful in all conflict resolution processes.

“Sinn Féin, within our limited resources, is willing to offer our experience to others if it can help.”

Pat Sheehan concluded:

“We have done this in Colombia, the Basque country, Philippines, Myanmar/Burma, Tunisia and, of course, the broader Middle East.

“In all of those conflict areas, in line with the principle of inclusivity and dialogue, we share our experience with all protagonists to the various conflicts. We do likewise in the context of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.”