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

President Abbas's response was that because the Israeli Government refuses to facilitate the holding of elections in East Jerusalem - which is a critical issue for the Palestinian National Authority - they therefore cannot proceed with elections. He referenced the current level of aggression within the occupied territories. Fundamentally it rests on East Jerusalem being enabled to be part of any electoral process.

We believe there is a need to push because 17 years is a long time without elections. There is a view that sentiment has changed within the Palestinian occupied territories. There is much concern around the younger generations of Palestinians not being able, through the ballot box, to articulate their frustrations, their views and their perspectives on where they are now. We must continue to engage with all partners on this, including the Palestinian National Authority.

The current composition of the Israeli Government is deeply worrying.

Earlier I referred to religious fundamentalism as now being a part of the extension of policy, the manifestation of that being very aggressive settler expansion which is almost on biblical terms, justifications, etc. It is all very dangerous, highly violent and causing unacceptable escalation.

Israel, in all our discussions, reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution, but I do not disagree with the Deputy's basic tenet. The evidence of that is thin on the ground.

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