Official Engagements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Questions (7)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

7. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 27 April 2023, if he will provide an update on his bilateral engagement to date in 2023 with his Israeli counterpart with regard to the ongoing demolition and seizure of Palestinian property in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the escalating violence by Israel on Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28816/23]

Oral answers (7 contributions)

Deputy Catherine Connolly

My specific question requests an update on any bilateral engagement the Minister has had with his Israeli counterpart on the ongoing seizure and demolition of Palestinian property in the occupied Palestinian territories. I say this while acutely aware that 158 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the first six months of this year alone. That is almost the same number as last year, which was the deadliest year on record since 2006.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I was hoping to go to Israel and the Middle East more generally last week but particular people in certain areas were not available so we have postponed that visit to a later date in the next number of months. I want to visit the Middle East more generally to meet my Israeli counterpart and others in the region to discuss these issues.

The ongoing demolition and seizure of Palestinian property is a matter I follow closely, along with my European Union counterparts. I am deeply concerned the UN has reported, as I said earlier, a significant increase in such activity in 2023.

Visible solidarity with those affected is an important element of our response. Ireland's representative office in Ramallah has made a number of visits, along with European Union colleagues, to sites of concern in East Jerusalem and the West Bank since April. Most recently, on Sunday of this week, they joined European Union and international partners in visiting a family facing imminent forced eviction from their home in Jerusalem's old city. Ireland's embassy in Tel Aviv also raises these matters in its regular contact with the Israeli authorities.

Such actions by the Israeli authorities are among several worrying trends we are witnessing, including escalating violence and increasing civilian casualties. I have been consistently forthright in underlining Ireland's clear position on these matters, including the obligation of Israel as the occupying power, to protect civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

I have not yet had the opportunity to meet directly with my Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Cohen, although I hope to do so in due course with a view to reiterating our concerns on these matters.

A sustained European Union focus is also a priority. I welcome that the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, visited the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel last week. While there he raised concerns about several issues, including settler violence, the use of lethal force by the Israeli Defence Forces, IDF, civilian deaths and demolitions.

Ireland is part of a group of EU member states pursuing compensation for confiscated or demolished humanitarian structures, funded by donors such as Ireland, through the West Bank Protection Consortium. The consortium has sought compensation of more than €1.3 million in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. Ireland provided €300,000 in funding to the consortium in 2022, underlying our commitment to reducing the vulnerability of Palestinian communities living in area C of the West Bank.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

I know the Tánaiste is on record repeatedly expressing his concerns and outrage about what is happening. However, the absence of action is really worrying. He talks about a rules-based order in other contexts. He said here today that he feels the two-state solution is receding, which is really serious. Yet we have taken no action other than expressing our outrage. I welcome that the Tánaiste will be making a visit and I welcome that Mr. Eamon Gilmore is now jumping into action, further to the EU.

However, we are now facing the bloodiest year. Last year was the bloodiest and it is increasing. We have taken no action. Six organisations remain designated as terrorist organisations. We fund two or three of those. Amnesty International's report on Israel's apartheid against Palestinians has been utterly ignored by this Government and by Europe, except for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Josep Borrell, saying he would not like to use the word "apartheid" and that it is not appropriate.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I do not accept the Deputy's general criticism of the Irish Government's position. Globally, the Irish Government would be seen as one of the stronger contributors to this debate. It would be considered to consistently take a very principled approach on this matter. When we say "action", we have to specify first of all the effectiveness of further actions. We want to work with other European member states to get a significant critical mass of EU member states to take particular positions in respect of this. We work with the Palestinian Authority and representatives of Palestinians to strengthen and deepen the relationship with the European Union. Unfortunately, there is not consensus across the 27 EU member states on this. There are varying degrees of emphasis, with different countries having different policy approaches to this issue.

I referenced the two-state solution earlier. The continued expansion of settlements, and the composition of the new Israeli Government, leads to my pessimism about the viability of the two-state solution, if the current Israeli Government's position continues as it has developed from the moment of its establishment. I feel it is honest to articulate that point. We still believe the two-state solution is the only viable way forward here.

I condemn the attacks going on. However, it is a matter of judgment as to how we further reflect our views. In the meantime, in terms of the organisations that were banned, we have been very supportive of them, not just financially but in raising it in various fora and with our Israeli counterparts.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

I do not doubt the Tánaiste's bona fides and what he said in that we have been stronger than any other country. That is not the measuring stick. We are an independent country, so what is our attitude regarding Israel other than expressing concerns? What is it we are saying to Israel? The Tánaiste has not met with the Israeli Foreign Minister or whoever the appropriate minister is and we are approaching a second deadly year in Palestine. The Tánaiste speaks about six organisations that he supports. They have been designated as terrorist organisations with no substantial evidence. That is what the EU said a year ago to back that designation, and still we sit idly by and do nothing.

We talk about compensation. Can that be clarified? Is that compensation to allow the Palestinian people to rebuild the houses that have been demolished or confiscated? Are we colluding in the knocking down of houses and giving them money? What does compensation mean in that regard? I would like specific answers on the six organisations and Amnesty International's report.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

I agree in general with what the Tánaiste and Deputy Connolly have said. In a previous existence, I had occasion to meet all sides in that debate and dispute, which continues. It would be of considerable importance and influence if, at on-site level, there was a platform to which grievances could be addressed before they boil over into the kind of incursions we are talking about now. That platform could earn the respect of all sides, which is hugely important. I say that on the basis of having met all sides previously, as I know the Tánaiste has.

Deputy Micheál Martin

As I said, we were due to go to the area last week but that was not possible. Meeting people face to face is far more effective. On the broader question, we do not sit idly by. There are very real limitations in terms of impact and effectiveness to what a country like Ireland can do on its own.

We were not idle on this in respect of our position on the Security Council. That was reflected by the UN Secretary General. At a European Union level, Josep Borrell and others would not view Ireland as a country that stands idly by in respect of all of this. We are not in any way colluding but are simply putting pressure on the Israeli Government that if we with other European countries are funding infrastructure in the West Bank and it is destroyed or confiscated, we believe compensation must be forthcoming and there must be a cost. It is just one other further element of endeavouring to keep pressure on the Israeli Government with regard to recklessly attacking infrastructure which European Union member states have paid for, and this is something that has been going on for years. People are now taking a stand, as are other member states, and saying that a school cannot be destroyed without people being held to account in some shape or form. Financial is one form of accountability but it is not colluding in any shape or form and I do not think that is a fair perspective to put on it.