I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 190, 219 and 233 together.
The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is deeply concerning and it is imperative that the international community works together to address the immediate crisis and to lay the foundations for a sustainable peace.
I am determined that Ireland plays an active and meaningful role, within the EU and the UN as well as through the extensive bilateral engagement that I have been undertaking in recent weeks. I welcome that, over the past week, we have witnessed a pause in hostilities, which has enabled the release of hostages, including Emily Hand.
At the Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial meeting earlier this week, I stressed that the international community's central focus right now should be on a durable humanitarian ceasefire. We must bring our collective weight to bear to secure that outcome. There can be no solely military solution to the atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on 7 October. The people of Gaza need peace, as well as sustained humanitarian aid at scale. We must build on the progress of recent days to lay the foundation for a pathway to peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Recent events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory have raised serious questions of compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. The Government has made clear that we fully support impartial and independent investigations into any and all breaches of IHL and other relevant branches of international law by the appropriate authorities.
Ensuring effective accountability is a central part of Ireland’s foreign policy. We aim to take actions that are most effective to practically promote this goal. This is why we announced last week a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the International Criminal Court, which is currently carrying out an investigation with respect to the situation in Palestine, including the events of 7 October and all actions since that date. This investigation, as well as investigations into a number of other situations around the world where such crimes may have been committed, will benefit from the much-needed funding.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis and towards a political horizon, there is also an urgent need for all parties to cease all unilateral measures that impede peace. This was recalled by the UN Security Council in February of this year, which underlined in particular that Israeli settlement activities are dangerously imperiling the viability of the two-State solution based on the 1967 lines. Within the context of the current crisis, we have also seen a sharp rise in settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities. This is unacceptable and must end.
As I noted earlier, unilateral actions and initiatives by Ireland, in the absence of support and engagement by other EU and/or regional states will not result in positive change and impact, but will simply serve to diminish our influence. Ireland does not impose any unilateral sanctions regimes, but rather implements UN and EU sanctions.
At EU level, including with regard to the EU-Israel relationship, it is also clear that the most credible and effective approach is for Ireland to continue to work to influence the EU’s collective position in a realistic manner. The central pillars of the EU position remain valid. This includes the clear EU position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and the EU’s ongoing concern regarding the rising level of extreme settler violence.
It is already the position that all agreements between the State of Israel and the EU must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territory occupied by Israel in 1967. Ireland is consistently vocal in ensuring the application of this policy across all sectors of cooperation. As I noted in my reply to a previous question, I also intend to advocate within the EU for steps such as targeted travel bans in respect of violent settlers in the West Bank, which is something that President Biden has also indicated that the US is exploring.
In respect of recognition, I have already noted that there are intensive discussions ongoing at EU level and with regional partners on how to develop a credible pathway to a two-state solution, allowing the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in the peace and security that they deserve. The meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean, which I attended in Barcelona on Monday, was an important element in this conversation. The timing and context of any decision on recognition would need to take account of these discussions, as well as the situation on the ground.
As I have said previously, this is an issue that remains under review and that I discuss regularly with EU partners. I would expect these discussions to intensify over the coming period.
As regards the Control of Economic Activity Bill, the Government has reiterated its position on numerous occasions. The Bill would be incompatible with EU law, and would not be implementable.
