Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his kind remarks. I appreciate them and I look forward to working with the Deputy and others on these issues.

At the outset, I want to put on record again my strong condemnation of last Friday's shocking attack in Jerusalem, and to convey my thoughts and sympathies to the victims and their families.

Turning to the Deputy's question, it is Ireland's long-standing position that policies and practices of successive Israeli Governments relating to illegal settlements and their expansion, as well as expulsions, forced transfers and demolitions, undermine prospects for a two-state solution and are a major obstacle to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

We have also repeatedly underlined that long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians cannot be achieved through the use of excessive force or by acts of violence by anyone. I was appalled by the violence during an operation by the Israeli security forces in Jenin last Thursday, resulting in the death and injury of a number of civilians. I am also very concerned by the sharp rise in settler violence in recent days.

It is imperative that all policy responses and actions are in line with international law and contribute to de-escalation. Now is not the time to double down on responses that only serve to inflame tensions. Proposals announced earlier this year to further expand settlement activities are deeply concerning. I also urge that there be no repeat of unilateral actions that undermine the status quoof the holy sites.

The imposition by the Israeli Government of punitive measures on the Palestinian people, following the request by the United Nations General Assembly for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, was not acceptable and should be reversed.

In addition, a number of the steps proposed by the Israeli Government on Sunday in response to the terrible attack on Friday evening give rise to significant concern.

These tragic developments serve as a stark reminder of the need to break this continuing cycle of violence. The current trajectory cannot be sustained. The focus of all parties, including the international community, must be on urgent de-escalation and on the restoration of a genuine political horizon. The only lasting solution to the conflict can be through relaunching meaningful negotiations between the parties on realising a two-state solution.

See this speech in context