Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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566. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the comments of Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ms Tzipi Hotovely, who recently said in recent media interviews that the Israeli Government has no intention of ever ending the occupation of the West Bank, which she claims is part of Israel; and if continued statements of this nature by the Israeli Government are causing him to review his Department's policies towards Israel. [36122/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of these and other similar and unhelpful comments. It is no secret that a number of Ministers and parties in the new Israeli Government are openly opposed to the two state solution, or to any serious compromise with Palestinians. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that this is not the policy of the government. However, it would be fair to say that the Israeli Government has a lot to do to allay international doubts about their commitment to the peace process.

The Government’s policy on the Middle East has always been based on the belief that the two sides would need a degree of international assistance and pressure to reach a peace agreement. This is not dissimilar from our own peace process. I have also stated many times that I believe the international community needs to do more in this regard.

In this context, the EU clearly has a role to play. In recent months, I have raised at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers the need for the Union to find ways to protect the two state solution. I hope that the appointment of an EU Special Representative will give greater impetus to our efforts in this regard and I look forward to further discussions with my colleagues at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council.