Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 211: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the Middle East in which Israel has authorised the construction of 300 homes in the West Bank; if he will raise this matter with his EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26566/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I have stated in this House on many occasions, and most recently in my reply to Question 154 of 25 June, the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories represents a primary impediment to the two-State solution. It both prejudges the outcome of final status negotiations and undermines the fundamental viability of a Palestinian State. I also firmly believe that it weakens the standing of moderate Palestinian leaders and plays into the hands of extremists on both sides. These are points that both I and my officials have made directly to the Israeli authorities.

Within the context of the EU, Ireland has long been among the most active Member States in ensuring that we convey our serious concerns about settlement expansion to the Israeli Government at every opportunity. The EU has made it very clear to Israel that settlement construction in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 June, the EU called again on Israel to end all settlement activities and dismantle settler outposts.

It is significant that the United States has now powerfully supported the EU's longstanding demand for an immediate end to settlement construction and expansion. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have both been quite clear on this point, calling for settlement expansion to cease, including so-called "natural growth" within existing settlements. The international Quartet – the EU, UN, US, and Russia – also made it clear in their statement in Trieste on 26 June that Israel must freeze all further settlement activity. This is further evidence of the international consensus that now exists on this issue.

The planned settlement expansion the Deputy refers to – the authorisation of the construction of hundreds of new homes at the Jewish Settlement of Talmon in the West Bank – is therefore particularly disappointing. While I hope it is not the case, it suggests that Israel is not prepared to heed the calls of the US or the rest of the international community when it comes to settlements. It also has a direct, negative impact on the already difficult political process, further alienating the moderate Palestinian leaders who are finding it increasingly difficult to defend the merits of peaceful engagement with their Israeli counterparts.

Ultimately, Israel must decide whether it is prepared to take the difficult decisions that are needed for peace. I welcome the fact that direct discussions are continuing between the US and Israeli governments on how to give effect to the clear US call for a freeze on all settlement activity. While agreeing a freeze on settlement building will undoubtedly prove a difficult issue for Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition government, in the long term it represents the first step towards an agreed solution that will allow Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace and security.