Skip to main content
Normal View

Foreign Conflicts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004

Wednesday, 27 October 2004

Questions (126, 127)

Finian McGrath

Question:

230 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a report of he Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, which indicates that Israeli occupation forces have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory; if he has raised these matters with the Israeli authorities; his views on whether these actions are consistent with the obligations of the Israeli Government in relation to human rights under Article 2 of the Association Agreement between Israel and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/04]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers, and the fact that the Israeli Government has continued its construction of the separation barrier in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, despite concerted calls from the international community for the activity to be discontinued and reversed.

Ireland acknowledges the right, indeed the responsibility, of the Israel government to protect its people, including, if it so wishes, by a security fence. Our objection to the fence is to the line that it takes. The construction of the fence within the Occupied Palestinian Territories is contrary to international law. In the short term, the current line of the fence divides Palestinian communities and creates severe hardship for them. Equally troubling is the long term impact, which tends to perpetuate facts on the ground and make it more difficult to reach a final settlement. The Israeli authorities are well aware of the Government's views on this matter.

The Government and the EU have repeatedly reaffirmed these positions, including through our support for the UN General Assembly resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority in response to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the barrier. The provisions of article 2 of the association agreement between EU and Israel reinforce obligations which already fall to the signatories with respect to human rights. The question of whether Israel has fully lived up to its obligations under this article is a subject for regular discussion at the meetings of the association council.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

231 . Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contact he has had with a Government (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26327/04]

View answer

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 166, 173, 194, 198, 214, 235 and 365 on 19 October 2004.

Top
Share