Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja on the situation in the Middle East on 12 October

The situation in the Middle East is very alarming following today´s acts of violence. The Israeli army retaliated the reprehensible lynching of Israeli soldiers with massive strikes. Targeting the strikes near the headquarters of the Palestinian President was also a serious provocation. The circle of violence must be broken immediately. The parties must now refrain from all such actions which could destroy the long-running peace process. I hope that despite the serious setback the negotiations can be resumed expeditiously.