I have repeatedly called on the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to pursue the path of peace through negotiations. Most recently, on 27 January, I issued a statement deploring the loss of life resulting from Israeli military action in Gaza on 26 January. It has always been Ireland's position that closures, restrictions on movement and collective punishments are both contrary to international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, and counterproductive in the search for peace. Demolitions, whether of homes or of businesses, constitute a form of collective punishment. These views have been made known to the Israeli Government and their diplomatic representatives in Ireland on many occasions and have been the subject of numerous statements by the Government.