Dr. Patrick Costello:

BADIL, which is a Palestinian group on the ground supporting refugees and their rights, is very clear that this is their legal right under international law. The only people who can choose to give that up are the refugees and it cannot be negotiated away by the Palestinian Authority or the Israeli government. Given that our position is that international law should be paramount, we fully support the refugees' right of return because that is enshrined in international law.

In the context of Gaza, the behaviour of the Israeli Government in the siege is in breach of international law. The Gaza reconstruction mechanism set up after the most recent conflict in Gaza has shown itself to be ineffective and incompatible with international human rights law and obligations. International law is paramount and the siege should be ended. We should be looking for a peaceful resolution. That is the fundamental point. There is no justification for the way that people living in Gaza are treated.

In response to the question on the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement, our focus has been on trade from the illegal settlements in occupied Palestine because they are what is illegal under international law. I am not sure that we have a formal policy on the agreement. I can follow up with the Deputy on that afterwards.