Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

The Tánaiste has adopted a strategy of working within a European consensus in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian question. He must be aware that the inconsistency of the international community in implementing UN resolutions in regard to illegal settlements and the profoundly provocative actions by the Israeli state will cause a big problem in the context of the Arab spring and Egypt. I have no doubt Syria will move towards democracy in the near future. What will happen is that more assertive representatives of the Arab people in those countries will emerge and they will not tolerate the continued approach of the international community. This is urgent.

What will be the European consensus in addressing this question and in ensuring the Israelis cease constructing illegal settlements, comply with UN resolutions and immediately engage in an honourable settlement with the Palestinian people to stabilise the situation in that critical fault line in terms of global conflict?

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