Chance for progress as Obama prioritises Middle East (Slough Liberal Democrats)

Slough Liberal Democrats <johanney@hotmail.com>

Chance for progress as Obama prioritises Middle East

January 23, 2009 4:05 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

As President Obama pledged to prioritise a resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and appointed George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy, Liberal Democrat London MEP, the party's European justice & human rights spokeswoman Sarah Ludford MEP commented:

"After the missed opportunities of the Bush years, this sense of urgency from President Obama comes not a moment too soon. Balanced international pressure on the parties, led by the US, the EU and the Arab League, is vital to resolve this terrible conflict whose ripples spread far and wide."

"As a long-standing friend of Israel, I recognise of course that arms smuggling and firing of rockets by Hamas into its towns is unacceptable, and I call for the release of Gilad Shalit. But even though Palestinian militants must shoulder some specific culpability through their 'human shield' tactics for the tragic loss of hundreds of lives including children, Israel's response leading to great suffering was disproportionate and has lost it crucial moral capital."

"There must now be a durable ceasefire and opening of border crossings under international monitoring. I also join calls for an independent international investigation into alleged breaches of international law on both sides, including the way white phosphorous and possibly depleted uranium weapons were used by Israeli troops."

"This is not a time for taking sides but a window of opportunity to seek a peaceful solution. Everyone - except apparently still Hamas - knows that the solution is two secure and viable states side by side. This involves all Arab and Palestinian representatives including Hamas recognising the existence and legitimacy of the state of Israel and Israel putting an immediate stop to all settlement building."