Allister backs Israel
06 April 2006
During a debate in the European Parliament on the situation in the Middle East, DUP MEP Jim Allister strongly defended the right of Israel to define and defend its own borders, particularly when faced with an Hamas Government in Palestine which continued to be wedded to violence and which refused to even recognise Israel's right to exist.
In the course of his remarks, Mr Allister said:-
"Faced with the government of Palestine being in the hands of the terrorist group Hamas and with its refusal to give up violence and to recognise Israel, it seems to me right and necessary that Israel should unilaterally make provision to define and defend its own borders. To do otherwise would be to fail in providing security for its citizens and that must be the prime concern of any government.
I would therefore encourage Israel, whatever the international pressures, to be resolute and constant in this regard. No good ever comes from pandering to terrorists or their political apologists and I hope that Israel, the EU and Mr Solana (EU High Representative on Common Foreign and Security Policy) will not waiver in following such a line and that they will not waiver in insisting that the only way forward is for Hamas to give up violence and recognise Israel."
