Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
117. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the engagement the Embassy of Ireland in Israel has had with the Israeli government regarding the ongoing bombardment of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18655/24]
View answerOfficials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv are in constant engagement with all parts of the Israeli government and administration on the full range of our issues and concerns. This affords Irish officials important opportunities to communicate Ireland’s perspective, especially in the context of the current unfolding events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
A particular focus of recent engagement with senior Israeli officials, including that undertaken alongside other EU and international partners, has been on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In light of the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the latest alarming reports by UN agencies and other humanitarian actors, officials underlined their grave concern for the situation on the ground and reiterated the dire to scale up humanitarian access. Additionally, they called for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2712.
Israel must immediately facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip, in particular by road. This is clearly Israel’s responsibility under international humanitarian law and it is what the ICJ has ordered Israel to do. All restrictions on the work of UNRWA and other humanitarian groups must be immediately lifted.
Irish officials have also extensively engaged with the Israeli Government regarding Irish consular cases, including that of Emily Hand, who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. In addition, they have engaged with the Israeli authorities on the evacuation of Irish citizens and their dependants from Gaza. To date, assistance has been provided to 95 Irish citizens and dependants to exit the Gaza Strip. The Department continues to work with the small number of citizens and dependants who wish to leave Gaza and have not yet been able to do so.
