Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
108. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Government of Israel, any state body of the Government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47807/23]
View answerEngagement with third countries is a central part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Within this context, both I and my officials maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Most recently, I spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 23 October. I expressed my deep condolences for the attack by Hamas on Israel and underlined the need for the unconditional release of all hostages. We also shared concerns at the potential for a wider regional escalation. I also expressed my deepening concern at the situation in Gaza, underlining the importance of protecting civilians. I stressed the critical need for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and underlined the need to ensure humanitarian access, including fuel supplies to meet the needs of hospitals and desalination plants. To this end, I echoed the call of the UN Secretary General for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
I had recently visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan in September, which provided an important opportunity to meet with my political counterparts and to engage with civil society partners active on the ground. My predecessor, Minister Simon Coveney, visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan in November 2021.
Ireland is represented at an official level in Israel through our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel is represented in Ireland through its Embassy in Dublin. My officials also regularly engage with their counterparts to discuss a broad range of issues.
