Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. It is a pleasure to have them addressing the committee. I thank Sadaka for the work it does here on behalf of the Palestinians.

The issue of Palestine and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is always to the forefront of this committee's work. It is also to the forefront in Fianna Fáil. Unfortunately, today the witnesses have painted a very bleak picture and one of which we are acutely aware. Dr. Barghouthi outlined the increase in settlers in the Occupied Territory, which confirms my view that the longer this is allowed to continue, the less realistic a two-state solution becomes. Where do Dr. Barghouthi and Dr. Khalaf Hunaidi see things going from now? I very much welcome the formation of a unity government in Palestine. It is very important that there is one message coming from Palestine.

Earlier this year in Cairo I met the secretary general of the Arab League. While we there for other reasons, at every opportunity they mentioned to us the importance of the recognition of the state of Palestine and using that as a springboard within Europe to move Israel towards talks. I would like to see that happen. The programme for Government mentions the recognition of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution, which is also Fianna Fáil's view. What do the witnesses envisage the real impact of that for the Palestinian people and the government in Palestine so that people here can understand how important the recognition of the state of Palestine would be in the Middle East and internationally?

Both Dr. Barghouthi and Dr. Khalaf Hunaidi mentioned the apartheid system and how Palestinian citizens are treated. I ask Dr. Khalaf Hunaidi to give some examples of what that means to the normal Palestinian people going about their daily lives.

As my party's foreign affairs spokesperson, I am incredibly disappointed at the lack of engagement by Israel in moving towards a solution. Following on from what our Vice Chairman, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, said, I believe these talks need a sponsor; it cannot just be Israel and Palestine. The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, who along with his team does a fantastic job, has been at pains to say that it needs an independent sponsor. If it is not to be the United States - I would not write that off completely - what country should it be? Previous advances in talks arose because there was an independent sponsor. We understood that, given the work of the US Government and the European Union in the Irish peace process.

Ireland and its European partners have strongly condemned the destruction of EU-funded properties in Palestine and the Occupied Territories. The European Commission has made a strong statement in that regard. What more would the witnesses like the EU to do?