Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important the international community continues to exhort, influence and advocate, in so far as it can, continued encouragement for the two-state solution. I believe it is important in the first instance that measures be taken to de-escalate the violent activity in Jerusalem and the region. The expansion of the settlements continues to narrow the window of possibility of bringing together both sides in an atmosphere of constructive engagement. I have raised these issues consistently in the context of my discussions with Israeli representatives and interlocutors. I keep in contact with both representatives of the Palestinian mission in Dublin and of the Israeli embassy. It is important the international community continues to show engagement and I expect fresh initiatives in the coming months. I expect the matter will be high on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, after which I will be happy to report to the Deputy and to the House.

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