Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Lynk for both his presentation and his time. Senator Joe O'Reilly asked the question earlier on, and reference was made to the level of awareness that is bubbling up from society among the Israeli people as to what is happening. As politicians, we note that we reflect our voters. Will Professor Lynk speak to that level of awareness among the general population in Israel about what is happening in Palestine, as he described in his report, which, as I said at the outset, makes for harrowing reading.

The one-state solution that Professor Lynk mentioned, as one of his four alternatives, is quite radical in some ways. I had not really heard this being put forward very strongly previously. Professor Lynk indicated that a two-state solution seems now to not be really possible. How would the special rapporteur see this one democratic State actually working? Would it be acceptable by the Palestinian side? Has it been discussed with them in any shape or form? It looks attractive in theory but we know how difficult this kind of power-sharing can be. There is a lot of hard work involved in that.

Senator Joe O'Reilly also asked about what governments accept "apartheid" as a term? The term is used here in respect of what is happening in the Palestinian territory and so on. Obviously, it was also used in Africa as we know in the past historical context. Does Professor Lynk expect modern governments and other States around the world to think in that way, not just for Palestine but also in other areas that were alluded to earlier on, and which Professor Lynk has not yet studied?