Madam President, I would have preferred not to speak this morning because, in actual fact, words do more damage than the Palestinian stones. I have had enough of words which are not matched by action and I am starting to doubt the power and effectiveness of Parliament and our institutions. Sometimes, I feel like the little girl in the story “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. We all know exactly what is going on. Mr Sharon speaks and acts clearly, and he says when he speaks in parliament that his intention is to bomb and kill, targeting, in particular, the Palestinian leaders, and to raise houses to the ground, not just in order to destroy the houses but as part of a clear plan. When I was in Palestine and Israel between 23 July and 22 August, I saw houses raised to the ground in the settlement areas to gain more territory for Israel; I witnessed the taking of Orient House and saw the Israeli flag hoisted immediately – a totally colonialist gesture. Therefore, Mr Sharon is going ahead with his plan, which is to restore only 42% of the territories to the Palestinians, who are forced to live in bantustans, without a State or borders. He is making himself plain. Why do we not believe the things that Mr Sharon is saying explicitly? Why are occupiers and occupied placed on the same level? Like the President-in-Office of the Council, I am appalled and horrified by this situation, but I am also, on occasion, appalled and outraged at the way we describe the facts; of course, I condemn the throwing of bombs at civilians in Tel Aviv as an appalling, criminal act, but I feel that it must be said that the root of the matter is the need to put an end to the Israeli military occupation. I have met Mr Arafat several times – the last time together with French and American delegations – and he said to us: “We are not asking for much. We are asking for international law to be respected. This is our request and I have accepted everything: the G8, Sharm-el-Sheik and Mitchell.” The Mitchell plan was not rejected by Mr Arafat. It was rejected by Mr Sharon because the Mitchell plan stipulated the end of the settlements and new settlements are still being established today. Behind the fighting and violence, there is, in actual fact, a plan being executed: more destruction of houses and more settlements. This is a fundamental barrier to the possibility of peace. Together with Mr Hanan Ashrawi, Mr Yaser Abed Rabbo, Mr Yossi Beilin and Mrs Galia Golan, I signed the document presented at Ramallah: they demand peace, a fair peace. Just as those courageous Israelis who are defending the rights of all and who, together with me and many others, have been sleeping in the Palestinian houses bombed at Beit Jala demand it. Without a doubt, Europe must act. I would like to thank Commissioner Patten for the things he has said and I support Mr Galeote Quecedo’s proposal to reinforce our political presence in the field. I consider it absolutely essential for international observers to be sent but, once again, it is Israel who has refused to cooperate. Why do we not say so openly? Why do we not make the situation plain? Dialogue is essential for peace but respect for the law and for human rights are just as essential and cannot be treated as separate issues.

Political group: GUE-NGL