Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

How does Mr. Barghouti's organisation deal with the Israeli problem? As an outsider looking in, Israel has from time to time changed its style of leadership. I would have thought that the present regime would be the least favourable towards the Palestinian situation. That is an outsider's view looking in. At the end of the day, there is no solution to this problem unless we get a reasonable Israeli approach to dealing with the Palestinian problem. It is one matter condemning Israel. I believe that within Israel, which I have visited, there is a great deal of sympathy towards the Palestinian situation but that is not probably reflected in the manner in which the present regime goes about its business. From time to time, the situation has become fluid because of changes of regimes within Israel but in trying to find a solution to the problem, we cannot move with the change of regime. As a country, our approach would be, along with the EU, to try to find an overall solution to this ongoing problem.

I appreciate where Mr. Barghouti is coming from and what he represents. However, in trying to find a solution to the problem wise heads are needed in the long term. Taking polar positions will not bring a solution that is to the benefit of the unfortunate people who have to live under these circumstances.