Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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350. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 1 October 2015, his views on the deteriorating political, military and human rights situation in occupied Palestine. [35346/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The clearly deteriorating situation in Palestine, in particular but not exclusively in East Jerusalem, is a matter of very great concern. The more violent conflicts elsewhere in the region have somewhat masked the continual rise in tension and in localized violence in East Jerusalem over more than a year. The main factors are the operation of policies on the ground intended to push Palestinians out of Jerusalem in favour of settlers, the absence of any political process or perspective which might promise an end to this situation, and among Palestinians the consequent loss of authority by political leaders and belief in a political path. To this has been added in recent months a reckless and provocative challenge by minority elements in Israel to the long respected status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem.

This is a very dangerous combination of negative factors, and the issue of the holy places has caused deep offence and concern also in the wider Arab world.

In common with others, I deplore any resort to violent attacks on civilians, be they prompted by despair or revenge. It is the job of local leaders, on all sides, to go beyond this, and beyond a mere security response, and to address the underlying issues. I again urge all sides to refrain from any provocative actions, and call on Israel to make clear – in practice as well as words – that the status quo on the Temple Mount or Haram al Sharif will be restored and respected. I note that President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu have already taken some steps in this direction, and I encourage them to continue.

More broadly, these events underline the message I have conveyed at international level since I took office. Political leadership, including from the international community, needs to address the problems of the relentless expansion of settlements and the absence of any process aiming at the end of the occupation.