'If we do not move now to protect the two-state solution, there may never be another opportunity,' warns Taoiseach

Micheál Martin had described the raft of countries recognising Palestine as 'an important moment', but cautioned that he did not believe Israel was listening to pleas from allies

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was hard to see a "gamechanger" style solution to the situation in Gaza. File Picture: Damien Eagers Photography

A two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is being worked against by some in the Israeli government, the Taoiseach has said as he described Benjamin Netanyahu's approach as "shocking".

Micheál Martin, speaking in New York at a conference which saw France and a number of other countries recognise the state of Palestine, said the establishment and protection of a two-state solution must be "our legacy to future generations". 

However, Mr Martin warned that the Israeli government is working to ensure that does not happen.

"In addition to the destruction of Gaza," Mr Martin said, "settlements are expanding every day, and illegal settlers in the West Bank are increasingly emboldened and aggressive."

"If we do not move now to protect the two-state solution, if we do not work to build a process through which it can be achieved, there may never be another opportunity," he added.

Mr Martin had earlier described the raft of countries recognising Palestine as "an important moment for Palestine", but cautioned that he did not believe Israel was listening to pleas from neighbours and allies.

"I'm not overstating it, because Israel seems oblivious to any sane, sensible entreaties from friends of Israel which are quite supportive of Israel," he said.

All of us, by the way, want to see Israel with security guarantees, living harmoniously with their Palestinian neighbours

Mr Martin said it was hard to see a "gamechanger" style solution to the situation in Gaza, because the Netanyahu administration was determined to isolate Israel from other nations.

Asked if he believed that a push from US president Donald Trump at this week's UN High Level Week meetings in New York could end the war, Mr Martin said this was not clear.

"The approach of prime minister Netanyahu is absolutely shocking. He seems to be plunging Gaza further into the abyss. He is almost now, in a premeditated, a deliberate way, contributing to the isolation of Israel diplomatically in the international world."

'A real peace process'

Meanwhile, former president Mary Robinson said she believed that US president Donald Trump was the only person in the world that can make Mr Netanyahu end the war in Gaza.

"If there is actually a call to president Trump to join and lift this into a real peace process that has every possibility of succeeding, because I think president Trump is the only one who can put real pressure on prime minister Netanyahu — who does not want any of this [peace process]," Ms Robinson said.

"But that's where the pressure can be, and we should not have a discussion of a two-state solution at one level and a complete denial of it by the prime minister of the country involved, backed up by the United States administration, when there is a deliberate famine and an unfolding genocide."

Ms Robinson, speaking as Ireland launched its bid for election to the UN's Human Rights Council, said she was concerned that the unfolding genocide in Gaza was "dehumanising" society. She said she was concerned about the impacts that viewing a genocide and "human-induced famine" would have on people.

"What is life when the lives of Palestinians are there to be exterminated?"