Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Questions (250)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

250. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the attacks on education by Israeli forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are a deliberate attempt to make the teaching and learning environment unsafe for Palestinian children; his further views on whether the educational process has been severely hampered and disrupted as a result of these attacks and that the dignity and security of Palestinian students and teaching staff have been repeatedly and deliberately violated through the systematic targeting and legal discrimination of the occupying power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45845/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I remain gravely concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly the impact on children and their education. Ireland has repeatedly emphasised that the rights of children to protection, safety, and well-being must be upheld at all times.

I fully endorse the statement of 9 September 2021 by European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which underlined that attacks on education constitute violations of International Humanitarian Law.

Ireland has been active on this issue in the UN Security Council. In my address to the Council on 16 May, I expressed Ireland’s deep concern at the plight of children in the occupied Palestinian territory. I highlighted the damage to UNRWA buildings, including schools, during military operations in Gaza, and stressed that all violations against children must end, in particular attacks on schools.

Ireland is a strong supporter of education for Palestinian youth, which is crucial for the long-term economic viability of a Palestinian state. Ireland is a longstanding supporter of UNRWA’s delivery of services, including quality education, in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

This year Ireland has provided €7 million in funding to UNRWA, including emergency support for the people in the Gaza Strip in response to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis. I provided €500,000 to UNICEF for the provision of child protection, medical and sanitation services to thousands of children in acute need in the West Bank and in Gaza. This included emergency psycho-social services to 5,000 children suffering trauma as a result of the hostilities.

Ireland also supports the work of the Palestinian Ministry of Education, as well as providing additional operational support to partners in the education sphere.

Irish officials will continue to engage actively on the ground and by supporting Israeli and Palestinian civil society partners who play a critical role on this issue.