Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for his response. I know he has had a constructive meeting with Dr. Nabeel Shaath today. The members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs had a chance to meet him informally and listen to the views of the Palestinian people he represents.

The Minister agrees with me with regard to the offer of the Palestinian people to settle for a territory that comprises 22% of their homeland, which offer has stood since 1988. The refusal of the Israeli state to accept 78% of that original territory is quite incredible. For too long, the Palestinian people have had to deal with repression, particularly in Gaza in recent years. If there is a failure to reach consensus at European level and a US veto at the meeting of the UN Security Council, will we support a motion before the General Assembly calling for observer status for the Palestinians?

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