Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
14. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to recognise formally the state of Palestine in view of a cross-party Dáil Éireann motion in support and a commitment in the programme for Government; and his views on whether the impending annexation of the West Bank by Israel highlights the need for that to occur as a matter of some urgency. [11658/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government agreed in 2016 states that Ireland will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict.” Successive Governments have seen recognition coming in the context of an overall peace agreement.
In the context of widespread frustration at the lack of political progress towards an agreement, and not least in light of the views expressed by the Dáil and the Seanad in 2014, we have discussed here in the Oireachtas the question of whether the formal recognition of Palestine, in advance of its full achievement on the ground, would be a helpful step in advancing a resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
I have stated that I will be ready to recommend immediate recognition to the Government, if and when I believe it would be helpful in achieving our objective of a free and sovereign Palestinian State, or advancing the peace process in that direction. However, recognition by Ireland outside the context of an overall peace agreement would also undoubtedly affect Ireland’s influence on the Israel-Palestine conflict at EU and international level. Timing and context would affect whether this loss of influence would be matched by delivering a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process.
I have been forthright on my concerns at statements from members of the new Israeli Government regarding the possible annexation of territory in the West Bank. The unilateral annexation by Israel of any part of the occupied Palestinian territory would be a clear violation of international law. It would have no legitimacy, would not be recognised or accepted by Ireland or the international community more generally, and would be deeply damaging to the two-state solution.
As I stated publicly on 23 April: "I think it important, as a friend and partner of Israel, to be very clear about the gravity of any such step. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, including the UN Charter, whenever and wherever it occurs, in Europe’s neighbourhood or globally. This is a fundamental principle in the relations of states and the rule of law in the modern world. No one state can set it aside at will."
When this was discussed at the 15 May videoconference meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, there was broad agreement that the EU and its Member States should convey these concerns directly to the new Israeli Government. That outreach has been ongoing over recent weeks. I welcome the very clear statements that have been made on this matter by EU High Representative / Vice President Josep Borrell, who has said that any annexation could not pass unchallenged. I support this position, as it is clear to me that annexation would inevitably have negative consequences for the EU-Israel relationship, as it would for the Ireland-Israel relationship.
