I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.
Amnesty International is a respected NGO, and I value the role it and other civil society organisations play on these issues. I note the publication of the detailed and comprehensive report issued on 1 February. I have asked my officials to review the detail of the report.
Ireland’s position on these matters is – and will continue to be – based on international law including international human rights law, Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as the occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territory, and on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Ireland has been consistently forthright in expressing concern regarding the unequal treatment of Palestinians and the application of different standards in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. We have been clear in the language we have used to describe the situation and are conscious of how the language we use can be interpreted. As the Taoiseach has stated clearly in Dáil Éireann, the Government does not use the term ‘apartheid’ as we do not think it is helpful.
Ireland will continue to raise our concerns regarding discriminatory practices towards the Palestinian people on a regular basis directly with the Israeli authorities, including during visits to the region, as well as at EU and UN level. In particular, Ireland has been proactive in consistently highlighting these issues, including demolitions and settlement expansion, at the UN Security Council during our current term.
As a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Ireland is strongly committed to the fight against racism and religious intolerance. Ireland was supportive of the adoption by IHRA of the non-legally binding Working Definition of Antisemitism, which clearly states that, “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic”. It is important to distinguish between criticism of Israeli government policy, which is not criticism of the Israeli people. I would underline that Ireland’s position in relation to Israel or any other situation is based on international law including international human rights law.
Ireland and the EU will continue to monitor actively developments on the ground and to convey our concerns frankly to the Israeli Government. We remain committed to a two-State solution, and will continue to work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.
