Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospect of violence spreading into a regional conflict in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48780/23]
View answerAvoiding a wider escalation of this conflict is a key focus of the urgent engagement that I have been undertaking in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
I strongly urge all relevant actors to step back from any further escalation and I have taken careful note of the statement made last Friday by the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in this regard.
Within the European Union, I discussed this with my counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council. The situation was also discussed at the European Council on 27 October. The conclusions of the meeting note the need to avoid regional escalation and to engage with partners in this respect including with the Palestinian Authority.
I have engaged at a bilateral level with several partners in the region. I have spoken with my Iranian counterpart and urged him in the strongest terms to bring his influence to bear in avoiding regional escalation and in insisting on the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. I have also spoken with the Defence Minister of Lebanon, Maurice Sleem. I underlined our concern about the current situation at the Lebanon-Israel border and Hezbollah’s role in the conflict. I also discussed the role of our troops in UNIFIL and emphasised the importance of their safety and security. I have also spoken with my Palestinian, Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi, Qatari and Emirati counterparts, and am in ongoing contact with other EU Foreign Ministers. I will also have the opportunity to discuss this issue with Foreign Minister Wang Yi during my visit to China from 6 - 9 November.
I welcome that other partners have also been engaged in diplomatic efforts to avoid a regional escalation. I note in particular the intensive efforts of the United States, including visits by Secretary State Anthony Blinken to the region to engage with regional partners.
It is important that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term. I will continue to underline this point in my ongoing engagement with EU, regional and international partners.
