Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and its Palestinian and Arab neighbours has been espoused by a consensus of the international community and supported by public opinion and responsible leaders in both Israeli and Palestinian society for many years. This support has been based on clear reasoning and analysis of the various options and alternatives, and these reasons remain valid, despite growing concerns about the possibility of achieving such a solution.

The inescapable fact is that a two-state outcome remains better than any other model that has been considered and is the only one which can deliver peace, security, freedom, justice and stability for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

An acceptable one-state outcome could only arise on the basis of full equality between all those living under its jurisdiction. Any belief that it will be possible instead to simply continue a version of the present occupation would be wholly unacceptable.

The recent remarks of President Trump have stepped back from the clear support for the two-state solution which previous US Presidents have given but without putting an alternative view in its place. The Administration has yet to enunciate a considered policy for the Middle East. I hope very much that when it does so, it will recognise the logic which has guided United States policy for many years.

The European Union has made clear that its support and advocacy for a two-state solution remain unaltered. The strong international consensus on this basis was expressed only last month at the Paris conference, which I attended, and in UN Security Council Resolution 2334 in December. We will continue to represent this view in our discussions with the new US Administration, both bilaterally and in the context of EU-US engagement, and to raise the issue at international forums such as the United Nations and the Quartet.

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