We are deeply concerned about the situation in the West Bank and there is an urgent need for all parties to cease all unilateral measures that impede peace, including illegal settlement activity.
In February of this year, the UN Security Council underlined that Israeli settlement activities are dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-State solution based on the 1967 lines. Within the context of the current crisis since the brutal Hamas attacks on October 7th, we have also seen a sharp rise in settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities. Settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities are unacceptable and must end.
Ireland has consistently condemned the practice of illegal settlement activity and highlighted our concern over its impact on Palestinian communities and on the viability of a two-state solution. In this regard, I also condemn recent announcements of additional funding for illegal settlements. Such funding will only add to tensions in an already febrile atmosphere and travels further down a path that jeopardises the viability of a two-state solution, which we believe remains the best solution to guarantee the peace and security of both Israeli and Palestinian people.
At EU level, I intend to discuss with like-minded EU Member States potential actions that the EU can take in relation to the situation in the West Bank. For example, I note President Biden's comments on the willingness of the US to consider targeted travel bans against violent settlers who are actively involved in displacing Palestinian communities.
Ireland will also continue to work to influence the EU’s collective stance, building on the central pillars of a clear position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank under international law and the EU’s ongoing concern over the rise of extreme settler violence.
Recent events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory have raised serious questions of compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. The Government has made clear that we fully support impartial and independent investigations into any and all breaches of IHL and other relevant branches of international law by the appropriate authorities – including the International Criminal Court which has an investigation under way into events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory since March 2021.
