Vol. 567 No. 6
167 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the issue of the continued confiscation of Palestinian land and destruction of Palestinian buildings by the Israeli authorities for the construction of the separation wall with his colleagues within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14932/03]
The ongoing Israeli policy of illegal settlement activities and land confiscations was discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19 and 20 May. I joined with my Council colleagues in expressing publicly our continued alarm at the ongoing illegal settlement activities and land confiscations for the construction of the so called security fence which threaten to render the two state solution physically impossible.
Any attempt by Israeli occupation authorities to appropriate land in the West Bank or Gaza is illegal and contrary to international law. This includes the appropriation of land for the so-called security fence. I would not accept that such a fence would best serve Israel's long-term security.
