Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on US President Donald Trump’s change of policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10148/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 29 on 22 February, which was as follows:

The two state solution to the conflict between Israel and its Palestinian and Arab neighbours has been espoused by a consensus of the international community, and been supported by public opinion and responsible leaders in both Israeli and Palestinian society, for many years. This support has been based on clear reasoning and analysis of the various options and alternatives, and those reasons remain valid, despite growing concerns about the possibility of achieving such a solution.

The inescapable fact is that a two state outcome remains better than any other model that has been considered, and is the only one which can deliver peace, security, freedom and justice for both Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

An acceptable one state outcome could only be on the basis of full equality between all those living under its jurisdiction. Any belief that it will be possible instead to simply continue a version of the present occupation would be wholly unacceptable.

The recent remarks of President Trump have stepped back from the clear support for the two state solution which previous Presidents have given, but without putting an alternative view in its place. The Administration has yet to enunciate a considered policy for the Middle East. I hope very much that when it does so, it will recognise the logic which has guided US policy for many years.

For our part, the European Union has made clear that our support and advocacy for a two state solution remain unaltered. The strong international consensus on this basis was expressed only last month at the Paris Conference, which I attended, and in Security Council Resolution 2334 in December. We will continue to represent this view in our discussions with the new US Administration, bilaterally and at EU level, and in international fora such as the UN and the Quartet.