Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 April 2014
33. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the comments of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Palestine, when he said that Israeli policies in Palestine have unacceptable characteristics of colonialism, apartheid and ethnic cleansing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15392/14]
View answerThe Tánaiste has consistently made clear, here in the House and at EU level, and in Ireland's interventions in UN and other fora, our strong criticisms of a range of Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian Territory, in addition to the urgent need to bring to an end the occupation itself. In these criticisms, I have focussed increasingly on aspects such as the unequal treatment of Palestinians under the law, and the range of policies acting to drive Palestinians off the land, especially in East Jerusalem and in Area C, which constitutes the majority of the West Bank.
The recent final report of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Territory, Richard Falk, produced in January 2014, powerfully reinforces my arguments. At this, the conclusion of his mandate, I would like to thank Mr. Falk for his dedicated and difficult work as Special Rapporteur.
