Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
25. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with other nations with regard to bringing a Uniting for Peace Resolution (General Assembly Resolution 377(V) to the United Nations General Assembly with a view to making appropriate recommendations for collective measures regarding the situation in Palestine, including the calling for ceasefires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51418/23]
View answerOn 27 October, the President of the General Assembly reconvened the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, following a request by Jordan and Mauritania in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group and Chair of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. This emergency special session was first convened in 1997 in accordance with Resolution 377(V) of 3 November 1950 ("Uniting for Peace").
Ireland delivered a national statement at this emergency special session, which included a renewed call on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and to allow meaningful humanitarian access, especially of fuel, to enable hospitals and relief organisations to function. Ireland also echoed the call of the UN Secretary General for a humanitarian ceasefire or humanitarian pause, to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the population can be comprehensively met.
During this emergency special session, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution, calling for a “durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities”. The Resolution also reaffirmed that “a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-State solution”. Ireland voted in favour of this Resolution, one of eight EU Member States to do so.
More broadly, I have made it clear that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis must 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.
