THE HAGUE, 23/01/08 - The Netherlands is prepared to "actively" support the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. "For example, with a contribution to an international military force," said Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen during his trip in the Middle East.

"If Israel withdraws from the Palestinian areas within the framework of a peace settlement, an international military force is the best way to stabilise this region," according to Verhagen. He "will urge that the Netherlands also contributes to such a force," he said in his address to the annual summit conference on peace and security in the Israeli city of Herzliya.

The Netherlands supports the Middle East peace process set in motion last autumn in Annapolis in the US by Premier Olmert and President Abbas. Verhagen called on the Israelis and Palestinians "to let the international community know how it can help with the peace process. The Netherlands wants to play an active role in this, for example via a contribution to an international military force."

Verhagen is visiting Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Syria this week. He said after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni that Livni "called the idea of an international military force interesting and promised to study it further." Verhagen, who also spoke with Premier Olmert, was also scheduled yesterday to meet the Palestinian leaders.

In Verhagen's talks in Jerusalem, the rocket attacks from Gaza and the closure of the area by the Israelis came up. Verhagen stressed "the right of Israel to take measures against the attacks," but pressed for "sparing the Palestinian population."

"It is important that we offer the ordinary Palestinians a prospect of peace and a normal life," according to Verhagen. "This can be done by opening the Gaza border crossings again, of course with due regard for the security measures for Israel."

Verhagen and Livni flew by helicopter to the Israeli town of Sderot, not far from the Gaza Strip. The ministers viewed the border area and spoke with citizens that were the victims of the rocket attacks.