Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been very clear many times that we think the expansion of settlements in occupied territory is in breach of international law. We believe it should not be happening, as it undermines the capacity to have a viable two-state solution and makes it more difficult to negotiate. It also undermines the context in which we can achieve a fair settlement and causes unnecessary tension. For many reasons, I have been vocal and critical of expanding settlements in the West Bank.

I join the Deputy in absolutely rejecting and criticising comments that may be linked with anti-Semitism, something against which we should all stand up. Given the past history of anti-Semitism in the European Union, it is something we need to guard against in the future and learn lessons from.

Everybody who was invited to the meeting came. The initiative arose from a conversation I had with the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Mr. al-Maliki, last June.

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