Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the consistent criticism of illegal settlements and breaches of international law by the Minister and the Government. However, I am concerned at the distinction the Minister draws concerning annexation. He says if annexation goes ahead it will affect the relationship between Israel and the EU. The relationship between Israel and the EU should be affected by the existing illegal settlements that are contrary to international law. It is not just any relationship between the EU and Israel. Israel has a preferential relationship with the EU. It gets preferential trade and it is involved in the EU Horizon research programme. There should be no tolerance of breaches of international law. What has been applied to Russia following its annexation in Crimea and the breaches of international law in that regard should also be applied to Israel's breaches of human rights and international law. I ask the Minister to be more than just vociferous on the issue and to outline the action that will be taken against Israel.

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