Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
56. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his views on the calls for the International Criminal Court to open a formal investigation into Israel’s actions in Palestine; and his further views on the demand for third countries to impose targeted sanctions against officials responsible for Israel’s ongoing serious human rights violations. [27899/18]
View answerThe report issued by Human Rights Watch is a careful and sober account of the violence on the Gaza border in recent months. It is largely in line with the analysis I received at the time from my Department, on which I based my public statements and my contributions in the Dáil on this awful situation. I stated clearly that the lethal force used by Israeli forces was not justified by the actions of the protestors, that many of those shot had been well away from the border fence and posing no obvious threat, including identifiable medical workers and journalists. I stated that this level of violence seemed clearly to be in breach of international law applicable to a conflict, even if one considered this a conflict situation, which itself is a contested assertion. I also said that an independent international investigation of these events was needed. All of these points are echoed in this report. The report urges Governments to support moves at the United Nations General Assembly to explore mechanisms for the protection of the Palestinian people. Ireland voted in favour of Resolution 12028 which was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 June, which included such a provision.
The report also urges Governments to support an international investigation. Ireland supported the calling of a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 18 May, and co-sponsored a resolution adopted at that session which provided for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry into these events. The commission is now being established.
The report discusses the question of accountability for the use of unjustified force. This would be an issue to be considered after the commission has examined the events.
The call in the report for an investigation by the International Criminal Court is referring to broader continuing issues in the Occupied Territory. I understand that the Office of the ICC Prosecutor is already reflecting on this question.
