The Middle East Peace Process remains a key foreign policy priority for the Government, including in the context of our current tenure on the UN Security Council.
Ireland has played a leadership role at both EU and UN level in taking a consistent, clear and firm line in relation to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. I share the Deputy’s concern regarding the situation on the ground, and we have expressed our views clearly in relation to illegal settlement activity, settler violence, violations of international law and any action that threatens the viability of a two-State solution. We have done this proactively as a member of the EU, at the UN Security Council, and bilaterally with Israel, and we will continue to do so.
In addition, I have visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on five occasions as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I also meet regularly with other key partners in the region, most recently on 2 June when I travelled to Jordan and met with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. We discussed the situation on the ground in the region, in particular our shared concerns about the situation in Jerusalem.
It is important that Ireland, as a member of the Security Council and the EU, remains a credible and effective actor in international fora in respect of our views on the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli Government. To promote progress on these issues, and to use our position and influence within the EU and the UN effectively, we engage actively in dialogue and seek to build consensus among our partners in these fora.
As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 19 May 2022, it remains the case that there is no consensus among EU Member States or at the Security Council for the introduction of sanctions against Israel.
However, Ireland consistently uses its voice to push for action at EU and UN levels, including in relation to differentiation between illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and the State of Israel. Ireland’s advocacy in this regard has resulted in the implementation of a number of practical EU measures, including guidelines on the labelling of settlement goods (so that consumers can identify them and make their own choices in this matter), and exclusion of settlement institutions from EU research funding.
The Government remains firmly 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.
