Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Questions (446)

Patrick Costello

Question:

446. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a list of options available to the EU and member states, in relation to the destruction of Irish-Aid funded projects by Israel, to secure compensation and protect aid for vulnerable communities in area C, including deduction of the taxpayer’s money lost in demolitions from funding for EU-Israel bilateral cooperation be provided and if the Irish Government will demand implementation of concrete measures to secure compensations in the European Council, going beyond the exhausted diplomatic and political options. [54778/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I remain concerned by ongoing demolitions in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian property and humanitarian aid accelerated in 2022, and this year has seen a record high number of Palestinians affected by demolitions, evictions and confiscations.

Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that these issues are highlighted at the UN Security Council. At the meeting of the Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 28 September, Ireland urged Israel not to proceed with planned demolitions and to cease all settlement activities. I have also raised these issues myself with the Israeli Ambassador and directly with my Israeli counterparts on visits to the region.

Ireland is part of a group of EU Member States which are pursuing compensation for humanitarian structures funded by donors through the West Bank Protection Consortium. The Consortium has sought compensation of over €1,170,000 in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. Ireland will provide €200,000 in funding to the Consortium in 2022, underling our commitment to reducing the vulnerability of Palestinian communities living in Area C of the West Bank.