Middle East Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Questions (175)

Seán Crowe

Question:

175. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the comments of the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, in the run up to the recent elections, in which he stated that a Palestinian state would not be created during his time in office; that he also criticised Arab voters for their high polling turnout and that his Likud party won the election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15234/15]

Oral answers (6 contributions)

Deputy Seán Crowe

The inflammatory comments of the Israeli Prime Minister during the recent election campaign were racist and whipped up hate, fear and negativity. He also highlighted that he has no intention of ensuring that a democratic two-state solution is ever established. In the face of this, I once again call on the Minister to respect the wishes of the vast majority of Irish people and of both Houses of the Oireachtas and to recognise officially the Palestinian state without delay.

Deputy Charles Flanagan

The comments by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, before the recent election regarding both the two-state solution and the turnout of Arab voters in that election were disappointing and unwelcome. Such statements are particularly regrettable in the tense and inflammatory situation in the Middle East. We know from our own peace process how words of supposed comfort to one side can have a disproportionately negative impact on the other side.

Regarding the two-state solution, I note that Mr. Netanyahu subsequently stated that his remarks meant only that conditions at present are not conducive to such an outcome. Following the election, Mr. Netanyahu also apologised publicly for his comments about Arab voters.

The international community has quickly reaffirmed its conviction that the two-state solution remains the only viable basis for a resolution of the conflict. The High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the EU, President Obama and others have made that point directly to Mr. Netanyahu in the course of conversations following the election. What is most important is how the new government in Israel, which we expect Mr. Netanyahu to form, acts and what is set out in its programme for government.

The Irish Government remains firmly committed to a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. All of our actions and policies at EU and international level are designed to advance the goal of peace and to secure a comprehensive peace agreement at the earliest opportunity.

Deputy Seán Crowe

If we are waiting for positive actions from Mr. Netanyahu, we will be waiting a long time. However, I welcome the fact that the Minister signed a letter with other Foreign Ministers calling for the labelling of Israeli settlement goods. It is a welcome first step, but it does not go nearly far enough. Just last week the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that an Israeli Government can legally seize Palestinian lands in occupied east Jerusalem. This has become a tool for many right wing groups to increase the Jewish presence in east Jerusalem, which is against international law and an attempt to stop Jerusalem becoming the capital of a future Palestinian state. This will not be on any labels. Human Rights Watch released a 74 page report last week which states that Israeli settlement farms in the West Bank are using Palestinian child labour to grow, harvest and pack agricultural products, many of them for export. Again, that will not be on the labels. We need further action. I ask the Minister to push for a ban on settlement goods entering the EU market.

Deputy Charles Flanagan

Yesterday, I attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, involving 28 EU members states, in Luxembourg. The High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has made it quite clear that she wants the Foreign Affairs Council to review the approach of the European Union to the Middle East peace process. I have strongly supported this view and I have raised the matter at Council level. I am pleased that, in response, the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has indicated that this issue will form part of the agenda for the next Foreign Affairs Council in May.

I would like to acknowledge Deputy Crowe's comments regarding a recent letter, to which my name and the names of other EU Foreign Ministers were appended. The aim of the letter was to ensure a certain level of influence will be brought to bear regarding the settlements in the region. I had an opportunity to visit the area of the settlements which is under some legal dispute. I acknowledge the recent decision of the High Court in that regard. I assure Deputy Crowe that Ireland will continue to keep a close eye on the situation in the region.

Deputy Seán Crowe

People want some action. According to a recent report from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in 2014 was the highest since 1967. The death toll in the occupied territories - some 2,314 Palestinians were killed in 2014, compared to 39 in 2013 - has been described by the UN co-ordinator as "devastating". Conditions are getting worse. We need action to ensure a Palestinian state is created. This should involve a democratic two-state peace process. The Minister needs to ensure the Government urgently recognises a Palestinian state. My biggest fear, and the fear of those who are concerned about what is happening in this region, is that conditions are getting worse and the proposed democratic two-state solution is getting further away.

Deputy Charles Flanagan

I am conscious of the difficult and challenging situation in the region. I believe that as an important first step, Mr. Netanyahu should now proceed to form his Government. I expect that this will be finalised in the next few weeks. I have had an opportunity to visit the region and see at first hand the difficulties and challenges involved. I assure the Deputy that the Government's approach to the recognition of Palestine, as set out in detail during a debate in this Chamber before Christmas, involves achieving and recognising a Palestinian state. That has always been the objective of the Government and our policies are directed towards that aim. I would like to repeat what I have made clear on numerous occasions, which is that I have absolutely no difficulty in principle with the idea of recognition if I believe that can contribute to achieving a lasting settlement of the conflict. Indeed, I continue to reflect on what early recognition could mean for Palestine and for Ireland's influence in this critical and important issue.