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British author McEwan
Admitting he felt "deeply touched" to have won the prize, awarded for writing on the freedom of the individual in society, McEwan said he could not keep silent about "the continued evictions and demolitions, and relentless purchases of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem, (and) the process of right of return granted to Jews but not Arabs."
"These so-called 'facts on the ground' are a hardening of concrete poured over the future, over future generations of Palestinian and Israeli children who will inherit the conflict and find it even more difficult to resolve than it is today, more difficult to assert their right to self-realisation," he said.
"No-one can pretend here that all is well when the freedom of the individual... sits so awkwardly with the current situation in Jerusalem," he said, according to a text of his speech obtained by AFP.
McEwan, who has written 11 novels including "Atonement" (2001) and "On Chesil Beach" (2007), also referred to the wave of protests sweeping the Middle East, where millions are demanding democratic reforms, describing it as "an opportunity more than it is a threat" and an ideal chance to restart peace negotiations.
"When Egyptians decide en masse to reform their society and think constructively, and take responsibility for their nation into their own hands, they will be less inclined to blame outsiders for all their misfortunes.
"This is precisely the time to restart the peace process. The new situation demands bold creative political thinking, not a retreat to the sourness of the bunker mentality, or an advance behind yet more concrete," he said.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled late last year over an intractable dispute about Jewish settlement on Palestinian land.
The Palestinians have refused to continue negotiating while Israel builds on land they want for their promised state.
The 62-year-old British author also said he would donate the $10,000 prize money to Combatants for Peace, a group which brings together former Israeli soldiers and ex-Palestinian militants.
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"These so-called 'facts on the ground' are a hardening of concrete poured over the future, over future generations of Palestinian and Israeli children who will inherit the conflict and find it even more difficult to resolve than it is today, more difficult to assert their right to self-realisation," he said.
"No-one can pretend here that all is well when the freedom of the individual... sits so awkwardly with the current situation in Jerusalem," he said, according to a text of his speech obtained by AFP.
McEwan, who has written 11 novels including "Atonement" (2001) and "On Chesil Beach" (2007), also referred to the wave of protests sweeping the Middle East, where millions are demanding democratic reforms, describing it as "an opportunity more than it is a threat" and an ideal chance to restart peace negotiations.
"When Egyptians decide en masse to reform their society and think constructively, and take responsibility for their nation into their own hands, they will be less inclined to blame outsiders for all their misfortunes.
"This is precisely the time to restart the peace process. The new situation demands bold creative political thinking, not a retreat to the sourness of the bunker mentality, or an advance behind yet more concrete," he said.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled late last year over an intractable dispute about Jewish settlement on Palestinian land.
The Palestinians have refused to continue negotiating while Israel builds on land they want for their promised state.
The 62-year-old British author also said he would donate the $10,000 prize money to Combatants for Peace, a group which brings together former Israeli soldiers and ex-Palestinian militants.
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