Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 November 2016
25. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he will take internationally and within the EU to ensure that the Israeli Government ceases to demolish Palestinian-owned buildings in the West Bank and halts the forced relocation of Palestinians. [36375/16]
View answerThe European Union has invested significantly in buildings and services in the West Bank. Up to June 2016, the Israeli military has demolished up to $74 million worth of EU-funded structures. Is Ireland's policy and, by extension, that of the European Union sustainable? Do we have the means to influence an outcome to stop this deliberate Israeli policy?
I thank the Deputy for raising this important ongoing issue. I have consistently called for the Israeli Government to cease demolishing Palestinian structures, including houses and infrastructure such as water and power structures and animal housing, in the West Bank and elsewhere. We have also made known our opposition to forced relocations of Palestinians. This practice is growing in intensity at a time when international opinion has repeatedly called for an end to provocative actions on the ground. Already this year, demolitions reached their highest level since the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began detailed recording in 2009.
In deliberations on the Middle East peace process earlier this year, the EU's Foreign Affairs Council reiterated its "strong opposition" to actions taken in the context of Israel's settlement policy, including demolitions and confiscations and forced transfers of people. The EU delegations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have raised the issue of demolitions with COGAT, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, and have issued statements locally condemning demolitions on behalf of all EU member states.
EU missions, including the Irish mission, are active on the ground in trying to protect vulnerable communities, including through numerous diplomatic visits to sites and communities threatened with demolition or forced relocation. Such visits serve to highlight the threats faced by these people, to ensure visibility of their position and to demonstrate solidarity with them. In this regard Ireland participated in a visit this month to the Bedouin villages of Khan Al Ahmar and Abu Nuwar, and in another visit in August to the South Hebron Hills.
It is not possible to physically prevent demolitions or for us to be present everywhere at all times. I assure the Deputy of Ireland's engagement in this regard, bilaterally and also at EU level.
By any objective analysis Irish Aid on the ground and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been proactive in directly assisting communities in the West Bank and across Palestine over many years. There is an area called Area C comprising 60% of the West Bank. The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, which is co-ordinated by the World Council of Churches, claims that Israel retains near-exclusive control, including over law enforcement, planning and construction. An important part of Area C has been allocated for the benefit of Israeli settlements or the Israeli military at the expense of Palestinian communities. Just this month 35 people, one third of them children, were displaced following forcible transfer actions.
At what stage does the European Union or the United Nations stop expressing its concerns? What logical action can we take? If we have invested so much time, money and resources in assisting these people, at what stage do we shout "Stop"?
The Deputy made specific reference to Area C. It is important that we acknowledge the situation there in terms of confiscations and demolitions. I would be anxious that Ireland, along with our EU colleagues, would play a lead role in requesting compensation in respect of Area C issues. While I know the European Union has not reached a final decision on that, from our perspective it is not inappropriate for a measure of compensation to be paid to those people who have faced serious consequences. We are stronger when we act in tandem with our EU partners. From time to time the approach of some of our partners will differ from ours. Agreement has not yet been reached on some of the specifics, but Ireland has continually argued for a strong response to these practices and I assure the House that I will continue to do so.
I welcome the Minister's response in proactively seeking compensation through the European Union. Israeli civil administration data reveal that only 1.5% of requests for building permits submitted by Palestinians in Area C between 2010 and 2014 were approved, and none were approved in 2015. Perhaps the European Union and by extension Ireland, through the good offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, can continue to press that issue with the Israeli authorities.
The demolitions, unacceptable as they are, need to be placed in the wider context of the settlement issue, on which I have made my position clear in this House and outside. I had the opportunity of speaking directly to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, when I met him in his office in June.
The continuing expansion of illegal settlements, in effect, threatens the viability of the two-state solution and the overall Middle East peace process. Next week in Paris, I will have the opportunity to discuss with my French counterpart, Jean Marc Ayrault, his Government's efforts to inject new momentum into the peace process.
I am pleased Ireland was invited earlier this year to an initiative by the French Government to inject new momentum into this stalled process. I will be discussing the issue next week and I would be happy to provide details of the next steps to the House.
