Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

During the past ten years, more than 11,000 attacks have been perpetrated by illegal Israeli settlers against the occupied Palestinian population and their properties. Does the Minister not agree that settlements are one of the biggest obstacles to peace? Will he push for an EU ban on the entry into the EU of goods produced in illegal settlements? If we cannot get this agreement, will he push for unilateral action?

I raised this with the previous Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and there was talk at that time it would be seriously considered. Would the Minister even consider the possibility of blacklisting illegal and violent settlers who want to enter the European Union? That has been suggested. The symbolism and impact of this would be very important. This is a call for action today. We can say we are concerned about what is happening and so on but unless we actually do something the call for calm, peace and dialogue will fall on barren ground and we will not achieve anything. I appeal to the Minister to come forward with some unilateral action that Ireland can take on this matter.

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