Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
149. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if recent developments and loss of life on the Israel and Palestine border will be discussed at the June 2018 European Council meeting. [24564/18]
View answer150. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will be requesting for the Israel-Palestine issue to be placed on the agenda of the June 2018 European Council meeting. [25652/18]
View answer155. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in particular discussions on the Middle East conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24342/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150 and 155 together.
In view of the violent events in Gaza leading up to and culminating on 14 May, I requested that these tragic and destabilising events should be added to the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council on 28 May. Accordingly, it was discussed by Ministers in informal format over lunch.
Many Ministers expressed their deep concern at the disproportionate use of force by Israel, and the appalling number of casualties. These concerns had already been expressed in EU and national statements, and at the UN Human Rights Council, where Ireland and others supported a successful resolution which will, inter alia, establish a commission of inquiry into these events.
In my intervention I also argued strongly that events such as these will only recur if the vicious cycle in Gaza is not broken. It was essential not to despair of progress in Gaza but instead to redouble our efforts to find practical ways to begin to ease the situation there, and to provide hope. The inhabitants of Gaza must be able to see a political and economic perspective to end the blockade and end their isolation, otherwise more militant voices and groups will inevitably be strengthened.
The meeting also discussed humanitarian assistance, the difficult position of UNRWA, the recent move of the United States Embassy, and the prospects for a peace initiative by the US.
