I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 29, 30, 38 and 39 together.
In relation to the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza, the impact of the blockade, and the humanitarian assistance provided by Ireland in response, I would refer to my detailed reply to Question 28 (ref 53172/13) on 11 December last.
Ireland, both nationally and through the EU, will continue to draw attention to the unacceptable situation in Gaza, to call for an end to the blockade of Gaza, and to call upon all parties in the region to give greater consideration to the impact of their policies on the people of Gaza. This applies especially to Israel, but also to all other actors, including Hamas and other groups in Gaza, and to Egypt.
On 25 December Israeli warplanes dropped four bombs on Gaza, on sites claimed to be military targets, following the killing on 24 December by a sniper in Gaza of a civilian worker in Israel who was repairing the border fence. Three people in Gaza were reportedly killed, including a child.
Although on this occasion relatively brief, such mini cycles of violence are recurring, tragic, and futile. I have consistently condemned both Israeli strikes on Gaza which incur civilian casualties, but also repeated attacks into Israel which intentionally seek to kill Israeli civilians and are indifferent to subsequent retaliation by Israel into Gaza. I do not accept the view that one killing justifies another, but nor do I think it is helpful to focus on one side only, and simply ignore the fact that violence is being exchanged in both directions.
I repeat – again – my call on all parties to refrain from such actions.
I have dealt many times in the House with the question of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Such agreements, which are in place with most of the EU’s Mediterranean neighbours, are not a reward for good behaviour, they are the means by which the EU itself has chosen to structure its relations with its neighbours. I do not propose to seek the suspension of the agreement, and I have made it clear that if I were to do so, there would be no prospect whatever of achieving this, and the only effect would be to lessen Ireland’s influence on this issue at EU level. The same applies to Israel’s participation in Horizon 2020, which covers co-operation in research and development, to the mutual benefit of both parties, and is confined to entities operating within the internationally recognised borders of Israel.