Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister agree that all settlement activity is illegal under international law? It is the policy of the Government and the EU that settlements that were constructed since March 2001 should be deconstructed and that there should be a freeze in settlements. Does the Minister also agree that as we speak there are continuing forced evictions in east Jerusalem? Does he further agree with the spokesperson from the White House who stated that the decision to proceed with the 1,600 houses in east Jerusalem was destructive to the peace efforts during Mr. Biden's visit? Does the Minister believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu is serious about being involved in a peace process if he carries out that activity when efforts are being made to initiate the peace process? I expect the answer to all of those questions will be "Yes".

More importantly, what people want to know is what the international community can do rather than wring its hands in anger. What steps can be taken or will someone be standing in the Chamber in 20 years raising the same issues while the humanitarian crisis and the terror of the people in Gaza and the West Bank continue?

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