Ivana Bacik
Ceist:99. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the Government of Israel and its representatives since 7 October 2023. [45359/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
99. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the Government of Israel and its representatives since 7 October 2023. [45359/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with Palestinian diplomats since 7 October 2023. [45360/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
I spoke with the Ambassador of Israel and conveyed my sympathies on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland for the horrific attack by Hamas. On 8 October, I wrote to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to express our deep condolences. I visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan just one month ago. It is scarcely imaginable how the lives of so many people that I met during that visit will be irrevocably scarred by this violence.
I spoke to Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki on 9 October. Minister Malki updated me on the situation on the ground, including in the West Bank, and regional efforts to diffuse the conflict. I underlined my deep shock at the scenes witnessed, underlining the importance of international efforts to address the conflict and the need to chart a way towards a future in which these events cannot be repeated. Minister Malki and I agreed on the grave risk of regional escalation that early de-escalation is essential to avoid a catastrophic situation developing. I also spoke to Secretary General of Fatah, Jibril Rajoub, on 12 October.
Senior officials in my Department are in ongoing contact with the Israeli and Palestinian Ambassadors in Dublin.