Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
414. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent military strikes by Israel on Palestine; if he will condemn ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinian persons and the annexation of territory by Israel in Palestine; if he will encourage the EU and the UN Security Council to take a strong stance on these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26823/21]
View answer415. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he is taking in response to the escalation of Israel-Palestinian violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26892/21]
View answer423. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the context of ongoing steps by the Israeli state to expel Palestinians from East Jerusalem and replace them with Zionist settlers and the killing of 22 Palestinians in an Israeli attack on Gaza, he will expel the Israeli Ambassador from Ireland to express Ireland’s opposition to these killings and to the threatened expulsion of 13 families comprised of 58 persons including 17 children from Sheik Jarrah in East Jerusalem; if he will immediately prepare a Bill to go before Dáil Éireann to impose trade sanctions against Israel in response to these killings and threatened expulsions; if he will prepare a proposal from Ireland to the European Council calling for the imposition of trade sanctions by the EU against Israel on the grounds of these killings and the breaches of the human rights of Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25926/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 415 and 423 together.
I am deeply concerned by the intensification of violence in the past week, including the launching of rockets from Gaza and the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces, and by the increase in tension and violence in the West Bank and in Israel. Now is the time for de-escalation and all concerted efforts towards a ceasefire.
I am shocked at reports of the number of people in Gaza, including the large number of children, who have been killed in recent days. I also condemn rocket fire from Gaza which has killed Israeli civilians, including children.
The protection of all civilians, in Gaza, in the West Bank and in Israel, is of paramount importance and is an obligation under international humanitarian law. The high number of Palestinian civilians killed - a quarter of them children- is simply unacceptable. The impact of Israeli strikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip is disproportionate, and the impact on children, in an already difficult humanitarian situation, is especially worrying. Israel must abide by the provisions of International Humanitarian Law, particularly in relation to the Protection of Civilians, including when exercising the right to self-defence.
Ireland’s diplomatic engagement with Israel is important as it is a means for us to directly communicate our concerns around actions such as those we have witnessed in the past week. On 11 May, I called in the Israeli Ambassador and underlined that Israel’s actions in Gaza which are causing significant civilian casualties are unacceptable and Israel must act responsibly and comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law. These messages matter, and by expelling an Ambassador, we would be closing down our channel of communication with the Israeli Government.
On 16 May, I addressed an emergency open session of the UN Security Council. I called strongly for a cessation of hostilities and emphasised the obligations that all sides have under international humanitarian law. I called on the Council to send a clear and united message that this cycle of violence and bloodshed must end now.
The President of the General Assembly of the United Nations has convened a meeting on the situation on 20 May.
I will continue to press this issue at the UN and through the EU. On 18 May I will join an extraordinary meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel and will raise Ireland's concerns in clear terms and urge a strong EU response.
