Madam, - I would like to express the Egyptian government's gratitude and appreciation of the statements issued by Dermot Ahern, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the alarming humanitarian and political situation in the Gaza strip and his condemnation of the settlements policy in the occupied Palestinian territories.
I would also like to express our appreciation of the positions expressed by various Irish civil organisations. It is our firm belief that the civilised world cannot accept the continued deterioration of the situation, bearing in mind the horrendous sufferings of the Palestinian people particularly with respect to the collapse of vital health, nutrition and education services. Moreover, schools, mosques and churches remain deprived of essential electrical supplies.
We believe it is the responsibility of the occupying power to uphold the principles of international law and refrain from taking actions that endanger the livelihood of the Palestinian people and are in clear violation of legal obligations.
The Arab Republic of Egypt will continue to pursue its political contacts with all the concerned parties to ensure an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories. - Yours, etc,
AMR HELMY,
Ambassador of Egypt,
Dublin.