Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the way in which the occupation can be ended and the steps he is taking in this regard, in view of the 50-year anniversary of the occupation of the West Bank, Golan Heights and Gaza. [25660/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The resolution of the Middle East conflict, and the ending of the occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel, is an important foreign policy priority for Ireland and for the Government, and has been a principal focus of my own work at the EU Foreign Affairs Council and in the UN and other international fora.

I have continued to argue to maintain an EU and a broader international focus on the Middle East Peace Process, despite the many crises elsewhere in the region. The 50th anniversary of the beginning of the occupation, which we will reach in a few days, strongly reinforces the argument I have been making, that the status quo of the continuing occupation is unacceptable, and that a solution to the conflict is as urgent as ever.

I therefore strongly supported the initiative led by France in 2016, which concluded at the Paris Conference, which I attended in January this year. The conference produced an important restatement of international consensus behind a two state solution to the conflict, but was unable to impart renewed momentum to the peace process.

The interest shown by President Trump last week in brokering a peace between the two sides was certainly welcome, and it remains to be seen what follow up there is to this. Ireland, and I am sure the EU, will provide any assistance we can.

I believe the wider international community, including the EU, must do more to encourage and press the current governing majority in Israel to recommit to the peace process, and also to bolster the waning belief of Palestinians that the political path can bring results.

Finally, in order to preserve the space on which an agreement can be built, I believe that Ireland and our EU partners need to continue the engagement we have made to defend the two state solution on the ground, and resist the ongoing Israeli settlement project which is deeply damaging to the prospects for peace.