Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is a situation where we are giving legitimacy to an illegal occupation. The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, said recently that the Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel forever. The problems are increasing in the region. There is increased conflict and increasing illegal activities by the Israelis in the Golan Heights. Recently, in the town of Majdal Shams, the Israelis started demolishing houses in the Golan Heights for the first time since Israel occupied the Syrian territory following its capture in 1967. Aside from drilling for oil by Afek Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Genie Energy mentioned by Deputy Clare Daly, Israeli winemakers and water companies are exploiting Syrian natural resources.

In October, Israel approved the construction of 1,600 new housing units in Katzrin, the largest settlement in the Golan, which was built over Syrian villages destroyed during the illegal occupation in 1967. This is looking more like Palestine every day. The notion that our troops are being used as cover for Israel's illegal activities is not good enough.

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