Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
423. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the planned new settler accommodation in the occupied West Bank (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have stated consistently that I believe the relentless expansion of illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land is now a major driver of the continuing conflict. The EU and the wider international community have repeatedly identified settlements as threatening the prospects of achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict, by making the establishment of a coherent Palestinian state physically impossible. As I have stated before, these actions are incompatible with a genuine commitment to reach a peace agreement, and call into question the intentions of the Israeli Government.
I condemn this latest announcement, and call for it to be reversed.
The Government’s views on settlements have been consistently and clearly conveyed to the Israeli authorities, including directly by myself in my meetings during my visit to the region last month. We have also stressed this issue in discussions at EU level and at the UN. The European Union issued a statement on 5 July on this case, on similar lines.
