Billy Timmins
Question:222 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24553/10]
View answerWednesday, 9 June 2010
Questions (222)
Written answers
I understand that the Tent of Nations project is an initiative of a Christian Palestinian family, the Nassars, who live close to Nahaelin in Bethlehem. This project was established in 2000 – the family own 100 acres which they were asked to evacuate in 1991 by the Israeli authorities but they contested the case in court and won on the basis of official documents that prove their ownership of the land. The family's response to increased settlement around their property, prohibition on building themselves as well as the lack of amenities provided to them, was to construct makeshift accommodation and invite volunteers to help them farm the land in what appears to be an atmosphere of peace and environmental sustainability.
These makeshift dwellings appear recently to have been legally challenged by the Israeli military authorities. The latest media reports indicate that the Supreme Court of Israel has this week upheld the appeal by Daoud Nassar, and the Tent of Nations, to deny an order to demolish the structures on the farm until the Supreme Court takes a decision.
I welcome this verdict. Deputies will be aware of my long-standing view that the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and related policies involving demolitions of family homes and forced evictions represent a major impediment to the two-State solution. It both prejudges the outcome of final status negotiations and undermines the fundamental viability of a Palestinian State. I also firmly believe that it weakens the standing of moderate Palestinian leaders and plays into the hands of extremists on both sides. Groups who advocate a peaceful resolution to the conflict should be encouraged and supported in their activities by the Israeli and Palestinian authorities and by all those in the international community working to achieve a peaceful and just resolution to the problems of the Middle East.