Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the recently leaked EU heads of mission report which notes that in an area where between 200,000 and 320,000 Palestinians used to live in the Jordan Valley, Area C, this number has dropped to 56,000 due to the demolition of Palestinian homes and prevention of new buildings, and that in a similar period, the Jewish population in that same Area C has grown from 120,000 to 310,00; and his views on whether the window for a two-state solution is rapidly closing with the continued expansion of Israeli settlements such as these. [17224/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am aware of the leaked internal EU report to which the Deputy refers. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details of this internal report but it is one of a series prepared by EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem/Ramallah which have usefully helped to highlight the challenges and difficulties facing the Palestinian population in Area C as a result of the demolition of Palestinian homes and the expropriation of Palestinian lands. While the major Palestinian population centres are located in Area A and B, the viability of a future Palestinian State is dependent upon the state being contiguous and encompassing the major population centres with their natural hinterland. The continued expropriation of Palestinian lands for settlements and the declining Palestinian population in Area C is clearly a threat to the viability of any future Palestinian State. No one is under any doubt that expropriation of land for settlements is an effort to create demographic facts on the ground that will dictate the contours of any future Palestinian State. These actions are clearly contributing to fast diminishing prospects for achieving a two-State solution.

I am also deeply concerned by the upsurge in violent settler attacks against Palestinians and their land, which has been particularly prevalent in Area C. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported a 50% increase in settler attacks last year. These illegal and violent attacks have one goal - to frighten the Palestinian population into leaving their homes. I urge the Israeli authorities, as the occupying force, to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population and to ensure that those responsible for such attacks are held accountable and brought to justice.

There is no alternative to direct negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace deal but these developments inflame Palestinian public opinion, and destroy public support for their leaders to engage in serious negotiations with Israel. I remain determined to continue highlighting with EU and international partners all the pertinent issues relating to the ongoing Israeli occupation and to impress upon both sides the need for dramatic gestures and acts of political will which would help to substantially transform the current depressing situation on the ground.