Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

It has been said, correctly, that a UN resolution endorsing the existence of a Palestinian state in its own right would not achieve conflict resolution in the region. As Deputy Wallace pointed out, Israel holds the world record for ignoring UN Security Council resolutions. However, does the Minister, whom I know cannot see the future and does not have a crystal ball, agree that when the proposal is put before the UN Security Council and the US exercises its right to veto, the Palestinians will put forward a proposal on observer status? They have immense international support. Some 120 countries around the world support the objective of achieving a Palestinian state and the vast majority of them will support the granting of observer status if the United States decides to block the right to recognition.

Does the Minister agree that even the achievement of observer status would represent a loud and clear signal to the Palestinian people that the international community respects their right to nationhood and will not ignore the ongoing occupation of their territories?

In 1998, there were approximately 190,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank; today, there are over 500,000. That is an horrific statistic. There is aggression and settlements continue to be built. This is the context that makes it timely for the international community to say decisively once and for all that it recognises the Palestinians' right to having their own nation, freedom and independence.

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