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Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2021

Wednesday, 29 September 2021

Questions (125)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

125. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent testimony (details supplied) regarding incidents that have had a severe impact on access to education for over half a million children across the Occupied Palestinian Territory; if his attention has been drawn to reports that three out of four attacks were perpetrated by Israeli forces over a 30-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47046/21]

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Written answers

I remain gravely concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly the impact on children and their access to education, which has been highlighted in the report from the Norwegian Refugee Council of November 2020, and referred to by the Deputy.

Ireland raises the issue of settler violence and intimidation in our interactions with the Israeli authorities and has highlighted the issue at 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 stressed that all violations against children must end, including and in particular attacks on schools. In the Council's meeting on 30 August, Ireland called for an end to attacks against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory and for those responsible to be held to account. 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 is a strong supporter of education for Palestinian youth, which is crucial for the long-term viability of a Palestinian state. Ireland is a longstanding supporter of UNRWA’s delivery of services, including quality education, to 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees.

This year, Ireland has contributed €7 million to UNRWA, including €1 million in additional emergency support in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip in May. Ireland also provided €500,000 to UNICEF for the provision of essential supplies and services to thousands of children in acute need in the West Bank and in Gaza and €300,000 to the oPt Humanitarian Fund, which can be drawn upon to respond to humanitarian emergencies and has been utilised for the education sector.

Ireland also supports the Palestinian Ministry of Education in providing equitable access to quality education for children. 

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.

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