Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
15. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the lobbying efforts Ireland has undergone as a member of the United Nations Security Council to work towards peace between Palestine and Israel; if this issue was progressed as part of Ireland’s role as President of the United Nations Security Council in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47060/21]
View answerThe Middle East Peace Process is a key priority for Ireland during our term on the Security Council. We have engaged actively in monthly meetings on the situation. I addressed meetings of the Council on this issue in January and May.
Throughout our Security Council tenure, my officials have consistently engaged with representatives of the parties to the conflict, and with key interlocutors, including with the United States.
In May, as the situation worsened and hostilities escalated, Ireland worked to ensure the Council engaged on the matter, including co-sponsoring a Tunisian request for consultations on the issue at the Council. Ireland actively participated in negotiations for a draft Resolution to demand a cessation of hostilities. While that effort was not successful, it is indicative of our sustained efforts on the issue. We supported the Council Presidency Statement welcoming the ceasefire which was subsequently agreed.
As part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council this month, I chaired a dialogue between the Security Council and the League of Arab States on 22 September, during which I underlined the need for strong regional engagement on the Middle East Peace Process and a reinvigoration of the political track.
I had discussions on the situation in my bilateral meetings at the UN, including with the Egyptian Foreign Minister. On 29 September, Ireland chaired the Council’s monthly meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. This meeting focused on implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334, which includes the issue of illegal settlements, violence against civilians and de-escalation and reversal of negative trends.
As part of our commitment to the Council hearing directly from those affected by its decisions, Ireland invited two women civil society speakers, one Israeli and one Palestinian, to address yesterday’s meeting. Their perspectives were particularly valuable.
I have been clear with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority of our commitment to advancing a two-State solution for a resolution of the conflict based on international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and agreed parameters.
