Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024

Thursday, 7 March 2024

Questions (34)

Réada Cronin

Question:

34. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what political and/or diplomatic actions Ireland is taking at EU level, in the matter of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s high-profile and unilateral support for Israel, and particularly, given the recent remarks of the High Representative of EU and Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell, on how those actions have had “a high geo-political cost for the EU”; what mechanisms are in place, or will be put in place in the interest of the union, its values and credibility, to censure such actions already taken, and to ensure they are not repeated by the Commission president or any other senior EU office holder in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10893/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

As I have made clear on previous occasions, I have been engaging intensively with our partners in the European Union, in the region, and internationally since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Within the EU, Ireland has urged partners to support an immediate ceasefire, impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, and restore funding to UNRWA as collectively the biggest provider of aid in Gaza. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of Spain have also written to the European Commission on the subject of reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

On 15 October, the European Council reiterated the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with International Humanitarian Law and the importance of the provision of urgent humanitarian aid. Commission President von der Leyen has since outlined the need for Israel’s response to the attacks on 7 October by Hamas and other militant groups to be in line with international law. In a statement on 9 November, President von der Leyen expressed clearly the need to protect and save lives in Gaza while ensuring humanitarian access. Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission has been consistent and unambiguous in efforts towards a political solution to this crisis and has maintained extensive engagement with both the Israeli and Palestinian leadership, as well as regional partners to bring an end to the violence and commence a political pathway towards peace.

Question No. 35 answered with Question No. 29.