Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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835. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the amendment to legislation passed recently by the Israeli Parliament (details supplied); and his views in this agreed. [24579/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the legislation in question. The EU, the US and others have already expressed concerns with this Bill, and I share these concerns. I am also aware of the Israeli NGO legislation, which was made law in July, and about which I also have concerns.Israel is, traditionally, a society that allows dissenting voices to be heard. It has a history of open discussion on hard issues. This is not always easy in a society as diverse as Israel, and in the geopolitical context that it is situated, and for this I have much admiration. I would hope for this to continue. These pieces of legislation are a deviation from this tradition, and for that reason are a source of concern. They underline the belief I have expressed previously, that the necessity of defending the extended occupation is damaging not just to the Palestinian people, but also to the democratic fabric of Israel itself. This still compares favourably, however, with most states in the region.

My Department will continue to monitor this situation, in tandem with our missions in the region.