Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he will make known his views on President Donald Trump's formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and acknowledge the potentially destructive consequences for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53037/17]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his counterparts in Europe after the announcement by President Trump to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53230/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and his international colleagues can encourage a calming of the situation in Jerusalem with particular reference to the need to ensure that recent events do not precipitate violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53169/17]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Gino Kenny.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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This is grouped.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry. Is that all right with the Minister?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have no problem with it being grouped.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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It is grouped.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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It is grouped, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I wonder why Question No. 37 is not included in the group. It is practically the same wording as Question No. 31; it just proposes some actions.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is not my call, Deputy.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Whose call is it then?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is really the Minister who decides. I have just looked at it. It seems to be a broader question but in view of the fact that it is similar, if we do not seem to be about to reach it, I will give Deputy Crowe a supplementary.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Can we clarify which questions are grouped?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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All the issues relate to Jerusalem. Deputy Crowe's question has an added dimension, the recognition of the state of Palestine, which is presumably why it was not grouped, but I am happy to take them together.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Is it Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 50?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 36 are grouped, according to the Minister.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is no Question No. 50 included.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We are making it up as we go along.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not think Question No. 50 was in the group.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question No. 50 is in the grouping.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not think Question No. 50 is in the grouping. It is not in my brief.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Let the Minister respond. He normally responds.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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My question relates to the announcement of Donald Trump's formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the consequences for the region.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 36 together.

On the US announcement, and the Government's position, I refer Deputies to my reply a few minutes ago to Priority Question No. 28, as well as to the statement which I issued on behalf of the Government on 6 December. I will not repeat my earlier reply but will add the following. The decision by the United States and its implications were discussed by EU foreign ministers both at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday and in the informal meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel which preceded it. Last week, many EU partners, like Ireland, had made statements of their own position following the US announcement. High Representative Mogherini had likewise issued a statement on behalf of the EU.

The EU and its member states have reaffirmed our belief in a two-state solution to the conflict, including the future of Jerusalem as a capital for both states, both Israel and Palestine. That remains our clear position. In the informal meeting on Monday, I stressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu the continuing necessity both for a solution based on two states, including a sovereign state of Palestine, and of a complete freeze on further settlement expansion, which is something I also made clear to him when I visited Israel four or five months ago.

There has understandably been a strong reaction in the region to the US decision, but I want to acknowledge that most Palestinians have expressed their anger and frustration peacefully. Regrettably, a small number have resorted to violence, including the firing of rockets from Gaza, which I condemn. At least two people have already lost their lives and I hope that all concerned will show restraint, both in protesting and in responding to peaceful protests, in order that no further lives are lost. Jerusalem has been a focus of tension and a flashpoint for violence in recent years. The international community has repeatedly called for all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that might increase those tensions. Unfortunately, that is what we saw last week.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I do not know who writes the Minister's statements but surely he does not believe that. Surely he does not believe that, as the two-state solution is non-existent? What happened last week was a deeply incendiary act by Donald Trump and was calculated to cause a reaction in the Middle East. Jerusalem will never be the capital of Israel and should never be formally recognised by the EU. This will only embolden both Donald Trump's reactionary supporters in the United States and the reactionary elements of the Zionist Israel of Netanyahu. This legitimises what Netanyahu wants to do. He has no interest in the two-state solution. That is pie in the sky. It is time for the EU to recognise that there is no way to have a two state solution. The only solution is one state in which Palestinians, Jews and Christians all live together as much as possible, peacefully.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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That may be the view of the Deputy and others but the international consensus on this issue is clear that the most viable way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side is in the context of a two-state solution. The Government supports that, the EU supports it and it has been the subject of many debates, conclusions and resolutions in the UN. It is what we would like to see. The announcement last week, in my view, makes it more difficult to re-establish a political process that can lead to that outcome but the Government and I, on its behalf, will do everything possible to encourage a process that will result in that outcome.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Kenny can ask a final supplementary and then I will call other Deputies.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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While there is a conflict here, it is a David and Goliath conflict and at the heart of it Israel is fundamentally not the liberal state that the EU paints it as.

It is a racist apartheid state, as much as South Africa was back in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The time for treating Israel as a normal state is over. Israel is a cancer in the Middle East. It is there to confront and humiliate Palestinians. What Donald Trump did last week will start another intifada. Indeed, one has already begun in Palestine.

That is what Trump has done. His statement that Palestinian matters do not matter was incendiary. Even Netanyahu says that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people. What the hell is that? It is like what we saw in apartheid South Africa. Israel is an apartheid state. As long as the EU and the Irish Government treat Israel as some liberal democracy, we will always have Israel as an apartheid state.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not believe that such language is helpful to what we are trying to do. Israel is a state that has a right to exist. It has a right to defend itself and look after legitimate security concerns in a part of the world that is very unstable.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Do you believe in apartheid in South Africa?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In my view, Palestinians also have a right to a state. Much of their land is occupied at the moment.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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All of it is occupied.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Please, Deputy Kenny, that is not fair.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We need to try to move forward a process that treats both sides with equal respect, one that allows for a situation whereby the legitimate concerns of Palestinian people are addressed. We need to see addressed the misery that many Palestinians live in today, especially the humanitarian challenges they face in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. That is why the international community, including the European Union, must show leadership and facilitate a process whereby we can have a negotiated solution again. That has not been the case for more than two decades now, despite the fact that the Oslo Accords provide a clear roadmap to do that.

Taking hard line positions on one side or the other is not helpful. We need to recognise when mistakes are made. I believe a mistake was made last week by the US President in making the announcement that he did. We all have a responsibility to try to calm things after that mistake.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There will be four more supplementary questions. Deputy Durkan's question is grouped so I will be calling him for a supplementary question.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Will the Minister please get real? Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was not a mistake; it was a calculated declaration of war against the Palestinian people, the Arab world and the Muslim population. If the Minister does not see that, then he is living in cloud cuckoo land. Netanyahu is celebrating. He claims that the European Union will eventually accept this and move EU embassies to Jerusalem.

Is the Minister seriously suggesting that the Israeli Government is genuine? I say as much given what it has done since the Oslo Accords to accelerate illegal settlements, carve up Jerusalem and ethnically cleanse thousands of Palestinians from east Jerusalem. It has carved up Hebron, literally sliced Hebron in two, to the point that there are now 600,000 settlers in the West Bank. That is double the number at the time of the Oslo Accords. Does the Minister honestly believe Israel has the slightest interest in peace? Now, the United States has made absolutely clear that it has no interest in peace either.

I have never believed in the two-state solution because it legitimises ethnic cleansing. Whether the Minister believes in the two-state solution, it is now dead because Israel has systematically flouted the Oslo Accords and UN international law. Faced with these facts, at what point will the Minister say that sanctions become justified?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not accept that the two-state solution is now dead. That would be an extraordinarily negative message to send to Palestinians and Israelis for that matter, many of whom I have spoken to. Many Israelis want a lasting peaceful solution and are committed to a two-state solution.

The actions of the Israeli Government, especially in the context of settlements, the expansion of settlements and increasing the settler population in the West Bank, are certainly difficult to see as compatible with a willingness to negotiate a viable two-state solution that works for Palestinians as well. I have made that clear and the European Union has made it clear too. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Mogherini, made it clear this week that EU countries would not recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and would not move their embassies following the lead of the US.

Let us talk about the facts and look to try to calm issues rather than inflame them.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Does the Minister think there should be any sanction for the systematic breaking of international law? The Minister believes sanctions are justified against Syria. Does the Minister believe that at any point sanctions should be imposed against Israel for what it is doing?

Does the Minister believe anything other than words of concern should be expressed about the fact that the United States has now legitimised the breaking of international law? Does the Minister believe it was legitimate to dismantle the apartheid state in South Africa using sanctions and boycott? Will the Minister explain the difference? What is the difference between the systematic flouting of international law and the ethnic cleansing being conducted by the Israeli State on the one hand and what apartheid South Africa did on the other? Can they Minister explain the difference? I cannot see the difference, except for the fact that Israel has done it more thoroughly. Does the Minister oppose ethnic cleansing? That is what is being done in east Jerusalem – there is no other word for it.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I believe in trying to get a political result that works for everyone rather than grandstanding.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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That is what happened in South Africa. We got at result in South Africa.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste, without interruption.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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What we are trying to do within the European Union is get unity and consensus. We have unity and consensus on settlements and a two-state solution. We have consensus on continuing to put pressure on Israel to ensure it comes to the negotiating table. We will continue to do that in an effort to try to get an outcome that is fair to Israelis and Palestinians. That is what we are working towards.

I do not believe that Ireland should put itself firmly into one far side or the other. Instead, what I have been trying to do with other EU states is work with them to build strong consensus within the European Union. I believe we will be listened to in that forum. Moreover, I believe we will be far more effective in terms of getting a response from Israel if we can get EU consensus and a way forward.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the thrust of what the Minister has said with regard to how the situation, explosive and sensitive though it may be, should be approached. The Minister and his EU and UN colleagues should come together at this juncture with a view to doing exactly what he has just said. Their aim should be to calm down the situation and establish a bridgehead to move on the negotiations and the peace process with a view to accommodating the various conflicting positions.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I agree with that. There are differing views within the European Union, which is why the EU high representative has looked to try to find common ground on certain issues. That is the reason the Israeli Prime Minister got a clear message when most of the Ministers were in attendance on Monday morning. The European Union is united in its concern around the continued expansion of settlements. I share the concern of Deputy Boyd Barrett in that regard.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Viktor Orbán does not share it.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Viktor Orbán was not there. The issue is how we move forward a process that can result in a two-state solution as opposed simply to making criticisms and protests. That is where there is a difference between politicians and NGOs in terms of what we need to try to do. NGOs have legitimate concerns and need to raise legitimate issues. I am a politician representing the Irish Government. We are looking for a political way forward. We are working within the EU structures because that is where we have power. Ireland, as a State within the European Union, is looking and talking to other countries to try to get unity and consensus that can increase EU leadership in this area.

The European Union is by far the biggest provider of financial support in the Middle East, particularly for Palestinian communities. It also needs to be a very significant political contributor to moving this process forward, along with the United States.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Durkan is entitled to ask a final supplementary question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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What about Deputy Crowe?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To what extent does the Minister see a common policy emerging backed by the UN - which has considerable influence and investment in the area - and the EU, with a view to a coming together of their respective positions and using that influence in a positive way to reinvigorate the stalled peace process?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We may reach Deputy Crowe's question before time runs out or we may not. If I give the Deputy one supplementary question now, he will have to forfeit his later question.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Will I let Deputy Crowe in first and then reply to both Deputies? I know what the Deputy wants to ask and I am happy to try to provide an answer.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister can respond to Deputy Durkan now and then I will let Deputy Crowe come in but he will have to forfeit Question No. 37.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My previous answer covers Deputy Durkan's comments regarding the need for the EU to be a more influential political player in the context of the Middle East peace process. This is all the more important now that the US has undoubtedly damaged its potential as an honest broker in the short to medium term, which is very clear from the statements made by the Arab League and many Arab governments. There is a need for the European Union to work with the US and others to try to find a way forward in which Palestinians and Israelis can have faith.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Does Deputy Crowe want to contribute now?

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Yes. The Minister made reference to consensus. There was consensus in this House on the recognition of Palestine. The Minister has said that he wants to see consensus at European level but the difficulty in that regard is the guilt in Europe regarding the Second World War. Consensus can be reached in Europe on favourable trade status for Israel but not on actions being taken against Israel because of the aforementioned war guilt. We need to show leadership here. There is no point in the Minister saying that the settlements are difficult. They are not just difficult, they are illegal. There are approximately 500,000 illegal settlers right now. Are we going to wait until there are 1 million illegal settlers before we take some action against this Israeli Government?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately, the figure is a lot higher than 500,000 and I agree with the Deputy that they are illegal. That is not just my view; it is also the view of the UN. The settlements are totally unacceptable and are counterproductive in the context of a lasting peace settlement. They also make the politics for the Palestinian leadership all the more difficult in terms of convincing people that negotiation actually works. That is why the settlements are so counterproductive. I have been to the area and seen the settlements we are talking about in east Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank. I will be there again in a few weeks' time. I do not propose to change the Irish position right now. I want to go to the Middle East again in the second week of January. I will have a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister and high-level political meetings with the Palestinian side as well. When I have made that visit, we can then review the political approach that Ireland has been taking.