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

I disagree with the Deputy on the justification for Palestinian violence, which he seemed to suggest should not be criticised. There is violence on both sides of this conflict. I am, and continue to be, very critical of the approach of the Israeli Government to the Palestinians. I will also strongly criticise radical factions within Palestinian society that are also responsible for violence. We need a peace process, and we are moving further and further away from a viable peace process as a result of the decisions that have been taken and what has been happening on the ground in recent years. The international community needs to do a lot more to change the direction of that conflict. Ireland wants to be part of facilitating, encouraging and pushing for that, as I said earlier. My conversations with the Israeli Government, ministers and the ambassador have been consistent. Israel is a country with which Ireland wants a relationship.

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