Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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401. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the approval by the higher planning council of the Israeli Civil Administration of an additional 4,948 settlement units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34889/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the development raised by the Deputy and I commented on the matter in a statement on 16 October 2020. I include the statement below for reference:

“I condemn the latest announcement of significant further settlement expansion of close to 5000 new housing units in the West Bank and in and around Jerusalem. The construction of settlements in the Har Homa and Givat Hamatos and E1 areas undermines the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State. All settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal under international law. These activities damage efforts to rebuild trust between Palestinians and Israelis. I urge the Israeli government to reverse its actions in relation to these settlement plans, and to halt all settlement construction.

I am extremely concerned at the spike in demolition or confiscation of Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank in recent months notwithstanding the severe impact of Covid-19. I reiterate my call on Israel to halt demolitions and to allow for legal construction for Palestinian residents.”