Speech Peter van Dalen (ChristenUnie) in the debate about the peace process in the Middle-East

President,

Especially during the current Advent period, many people pray for peace in the Middle-East. But sometimes you get despondent about the situation and you think: peace will never come. However, all parties in this process need to keep on working on it.

But that's exactly the problem: can and will all involved parties work towards peace? In previous times, Israel has taken steps by sharing land for peace: look for example to the evacuation of parts of the Gaza-strip in 2005. This did not lead to peace: the attacks by rocket missiles even increased, which led to the Israeli invasion in 2009.

Israel has now announced a temporary stop on building in the West Bank. It has also lifted several road blocks. This must be seen as a gesture to come to peace-negotiations. Such steps from the government of Benjamin Nethanyahu are from an Israeli point of view, quite radical and far-reaching

On the Palestinian side, I see no movement. They keep saying Israel is doing nothing for the peace process, full stop. The Palestinians lack any movement to start negotiations. Is there a Palestinian will and capability to start the negotiations? Hamas seems to be entangled in the fight with Fatah, and to be firmly chained to Iran. Mahmoud Abbas looks like a paper tiger, which has no influence at all. It's time the Palestinians as well show in a very clear and open way that they want peace as well.

8th February 2012 - ECR Vice-Chairmen speak at Heritage Foundation