With regard to the agreement on visas, this refers to a 1985 Exchange of Notes relating to the abolition of visas between Ireland and Israel. This is given effect through the exemption of Israeli passport holders from Irish Visa Requirements, as provided for under the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2014.
Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, and will continue to do so. Such settlements are illegal under international law and actively undermine the viability of a negotiated two-State solution in line with the internationally agreed parameters.
UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016, states that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory have no legal validity and are a major obstacle to peace. The Resolution calls for an immediate end to settlement activities and also calls on all States to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. Ireland’s bilateral agreements with Israel do not apply to territories occupied by Israel in 1967. Ireland continues to call on the Israeli Government to halt all settlement construction.
