YASSER ARAFAT AND THE PEACE PROCESS

Motion Text

That this House regrets the passing of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who led his people's struggle for 40 years; recalls the historic steps towards peace taken by Yasser Arafat during the Oslo peace process; hopes that both sides can re-establish the spirit of co-operation which led to the signing of the Oslo accords; commends the work of Dr Hanan Ashrawi and believes that Israeli and Palestinian women should be afforded a greater role in the peace process; further notes that resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict should be a priority for the international community and recalls the role of the international community in the reconstruction and development of Israel and Palestine; believes that the key to peace in the Middle East is dialogue rather than violence; calls on the UK Government to facilitate that dialogue by convening an international conference; and offers its hopes that both sides will achieve a just and lasting peace.