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Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Questions (24)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views with regard to some supporters of Israel attempting to equate anti-Semitism with criticism of Israeli treatment of Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9737/19]

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Written answers

Ireland strongly condemns all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including anti-Semitism. Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Through our multilateral engagement, Ireland consistently raises the issues of racism and intolerance and advocates for inclusive societies at the UN’s Human Rights Council, (HRC), through the Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism and at the European Union.

Ireland is a signatory of the Stockholm Declaration of the International Forum on the Holocaust and Ireland joined the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2011. As a signatory to the Stockholm Declaration, Ireland has made a commitment to fight against the evils of anti-Semitism, genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, xenophobia and other expressions of hatred. I also attended and participated in the National Holocaust Memorial Day in Dublin on 27th January this year, during which I read aloud an excerpt from the Stockholm Declaration.

There is, thankfully, no significant political party in Ireland hostile to immigrants, or to minorities such as the Jewish community. But on this, we must remain vigilant. Earlier this year, an Irish synagogue was defaced with swastika graffiti – something which I utterly condemn, and which must encourage us all to renew our commitment to rooting out anti-Semitism.

Successive Irish Governments, as well as public representatives, NGOs and individuals, have voiced strong criticisms of Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territory. I have done so myself. The same is true in many other countries. It is to be expected that any country which is engaged in a military occupation of another people will be subject to a particularly high level of scrutiny. These criticisms are based not on anti-Semitism or hostility, but on our values of respect for justice, human rights and the rule of law. There are of course very many people in Israel who share critical views on the conduct of the occupation of the Palestinian territory.

Criticism of Israeli policy is not in and of itself anti-Semitic, and to conflate these things is unjust, counter-productive, and potentially very damaging. Conflating just and valid criticism of Israeli actions, with anti-Semitic attitudes, risks unfairly stigmatising people who are motivated by a desire for justice for the Palestinians, and blunting the reflex of horror we should all have at real manifestations of anti-Semitism. Conversely, I also believe that it is wrong when criticism of Israeli government actions conflates the Jewish people – globally or in Ireland – with the government of Israel.

I believe that in criticising Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian people – something which I will continue to do as long as that occupation lasts – it is essential to base our criticism on values we hold consistently and globally, including respect for human rights and for international law.

Question No. 25 answered with Question No. 21.
Questions Nos. 26 and 27 answered with Question No. 6.
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