Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today said that Israel's handover of Bethlehem to Palestinian control is an important step towards the realization of the Middle East Road Map for peace and that the Philippines believes that this gesture symbolizes Israel’s firm commitment towards achieving lasting peace.

With these comments, Secretary Ople joined other global leaders in praising Israel’s turnover of Bethlehem yesterday. The West Bank town of Bethlehem, revered by Christians worldwide as the birthplace of Jesus, prompted offers from Spain and Italy to host a Middle East peace conference envisaged under the peace plan.

“This is a very significant event, coming on the heels of the partial Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this week and a cease-fire by Palestinian guerrilla groups last week,” the Secretary said.  He added that he is guardedly optimistic but that he hopes and prays for lasting peace in the region.

The road map peace plan envisages a Palestinian state by 2005 in the West Bank and Gaza alongside a secure Israel.

The terms of the turnover require Palestinian police to fill the security gap created by the Israeli pullback by cracking down if needed on militants planning to attack Israelis.

“I am confident that the Palestinian police will live up to their responsibilities and that we can expect more significant and welcome developments on the road map for peace,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary reiterated that the Philippines continues to have an important stake in seeing a successful conclusion to the Middle East peace process. END.