Middle East

Thursday, 30 November 2023

Questions (147)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

147. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, if he believes that a two-state solution is still possible; the steps he is taking towards this; if he will instruct Ireland's representative at the United Nations to initiate a "Uniting for peace" initiative to discuss a permanent and sustainable ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52894/23]

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Oral answers (6 contributions)

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick

In view of the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, does the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs believe a two-state solution is still possible, what steps is he taking towards this, and will he instruct Ireland’s representative at the United Nations to initiate a "Uniting for peace" initiative to discuss a permanent and sustainable ceasefire and a lifting of the blockade on Gaza? Will he make a statement on the matter?

Deputy Micheál Martin

I thank the Deputy for raising this question. Ireland remains committed to advancing a peaceful and secure future for Palestinians and Israelis based on a two-state solution in line with the agreed parameters and international law. Our central focus right now is on a durable humanitarian ceasefire. The international community must bring all of our collective weight to bear to secure that outcome.

We must also redouble our commitment to protect civilian lives and uphold international law. The international community should now make concerted efforts to ensure both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security, with their own sovereign independent and democratic states. A two-state solution must be one that includes a sovereign, contiguous and democratic Palestinian state. As noted in my replies to earlier questions, I made these points clearly in my intervention at the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum on Monday last.

On 27 October, the President of the General Assembly reconvened the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly. This emergency special session was convened in accordance with Resolution 377(V) of 3 November 1950, "Uniting for peace". The General Assembly has, therefore, already met under the "Uniting for peace” resolution to discuss the current conflict. 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. Ireland also called for a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the humanitarian needs of the population could be comprehensively met. During this emergency special session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, which Ireland, along with seven other EU member states, voted in favour of and that won support from the clear majority of UN member states.

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. Now is the time to put our words into practice and to demonstrate our commitment to a future of peace in the region.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I am delighted to see there is a seventh day of ceasefire today. I pray for it to go on longer and for a peaceful solution. The good news is that, over the past six days, Israelis and foreign national hostages have been released. Some 210 Palestinians have also been released.

Like the Tánaiste, I condemn terrorism. I have no time for it at all. So far, more than 10,000 innocent women, children and older people have been killed and 60,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

I believe the Tánaiste, the Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs have done a fantastic job over recent weeks. That is important. Look at the release of Emily Hand. The Tánaiste has done a great deal of good work. However, is there anything more we in Ireland can do to get a peaceful solution in Gaza?

Deputy Micheál Martin

There is, and we are doing it. Israel did not attend the meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum, which is composed of EU member states and regional partners. The sole topic of discussion was the Middle East and the war in Gaza.

With like-minded EU member states, we are pushing hard to get a credible pathway to peace, one that involves a two-state solution. That is our focus. We are working with other member states to advance this and to keep the pressure on at international level. It is fair to say the international community is more seized of the need for a durable, sustained peace roadmap for the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than it has been for quite a long time. It is imperative we harness the outcome of this terrible war in some respects to try to ensure that, after hostilities cease, the situation does not fall onto the back burner and is instead proactively pursued with a view to getting a two-state resolution and bringing a pathway to fruition.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick

I was one of those who did not want to send the ambassador back to Israel. At the time, doing so would have been wrong. What steps are the Tánaiste and the Israeli ambassador taking to assist the advance towards democracy? In Ireland, we have had our fair share of wars. In fairness, it was Americans who helped pave the way for the nitty-gritty negotiations that aided the peace process.

I have been listening to many families who are saying that what they are seeing on their television screens right now is not nice. People are being murdered, bombed and so on. Is Ireland doing everything it can to help unite the Europeans, Americans and so forth and get us all working together? I go home in the evening and sit with my family. To be honest, what is happening in Gaza is a disgrace. I am glad to see that no one is trying to score any kind of political points. We all have to work together. I would like to see a peaceful resolution as soon as possible. Is the Tánaiste working closely with the Israeli ambassador and our allies? What can we do to help? A ceasefire of seven days is fantastic, and no one wants to see a return to the bombing and shelling. As a small nation, are we doing our best to get peace in Gaza?

Deputy Micheál Martin

We are. It is the entire focus of our diplomatic endeavours. In my work and the work of the Taoiseach and the rest of the Government, we have tried in the first instance to work with other EU member states to push towards a permanent cessation of the war.

It cannot be said often enough how savage the Hamas atrocity at the outset of this war was. It had an impact on the Israeli psyche and public opinion within Israel, with a sense of insecurity as a result of the attack, which killed 1,400 civilians – children, women and so on.

The Deputy is correct, in that people are equally horrified at the enormity of the bombardment of Gaza. This morning, the scale of bombs used was of an order almost unprecedented in such a densely populated urban environment. Israel has a right to go after Hamas, but it does not have a right to see the Gazan population collectively punished as a result of the activities of Hamas. We can all see the horrific scenes on our screens, with children and families being killed.

Question No. 148 taken with Written Answers.