Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
51. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the undertakings secured from Israel during a meeting in October 2022 regarding the renewal of the EU-Israel Association agreement in relation to human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3272/24]
View answerAs I have previously stated regarding the EU-Israel Association in October 2022, and as I made clear to this House at the time, Ireland’s position was that such a meeting would only go ahead once an EU position was finalised. This approach was important as it enabled the EU to speak with one voice on key issues of concern, notably in relation to human rights and international law, and to convey this position to Israel at a senior political level.
This included reaffirming its commitment to implement previous Council conclusions, UNSCR 2334 (2016), as well as the applicability of international human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The EU also noted that the resumption of the Association Council should pave the way for the resumption of other meetings that are essential for further developing a fruitful and comprehensive relationship, notably the Association Committee as well as the EU-Israel Political Dialogue and the informal working groups on human rights and international organisations. In this regard, the EU position placed particular emphasis on the resumption of a regular dialogue with the Israeli Government on human rights issues.
Such a dialogue had not taken place before the Hamas' attacks of 7 October 2023 and its reinstatement remains a priority for Ireland. I welcome that the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, undertook a three-day visit from to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory last June. This was a clear signal of the importance afforded by the EU to engagement on this agenda. Among the many issues he discussed with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli authorities were the use of lethal force by Israel Defence Forces, civilian deaths, settler violence, the need for accountability, settlements, demolitions and women’s’ rights.
