I propose to take Questions Nos. 867, 868 and 889 together.
I welcomed the decree issued on 15 January by President Mahmoud Abbas on the holding of Palestinian elections this year.
The holding of elections in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and in Gaza is a crucial step towards Palestinian unity and reconciliation, giving a voice to Palestinians throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, and renewing the legitimacy of national institutions, including a democratically elected Parliament and Government.
We continue to use our position in the EU and our current seat on the UN Security Council to highlight the importance of Israel's cooperation in order to hold Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem. Ireland's Ambassador to the UN did so most recently at the UN Security Council on 25 March.
Election monitoring is an important part of democratic process and Ireland strongly supports EU efforts to engage in EU monitoring of the Palestinian elections. I urge Israel to facilitate these important elections, including in East Jerusalem.