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

Human Rights Watch is a respected NGO. I value the role it and other civil society organisations play. The report by Human Rights Watch is a lengthy and complex document which, as I said earlier, is being reviewed by my Department. I continue to be concerned about the overall human rights situation in Israel and Palestine and discriminatory practices. There is no doubt Israel's actions have violated Palestinian human rights and equal treatment, and unilateral actions have undermined trust between Israel and the Palestinians.

I am also mindful of the threat posed to the future enjoyment of rights in the context of a future Palestinian state. The programme for Government commits to supporting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also commits to building a consensus at EU level to take a more proactive approach in supporting a negotiated two-state solution and lasting peace process. While Israeli actions on the ground on settlements are undermining the feasibility of a two-state solution, there is still an opportunity to correct the course. It is critical we put all our efforts into doing so.

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