Foreign Affairs Committee to examine forced displacements and demolitions in the occupied Palestinian territory

Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, Ambassador, Mission of State of Palestine and Ambassador Ophir Kariv, Embassy of Israel to Ireland are both scheduled to give evidence on the issue this week. Dr Abdalmajid will appear virtually before the Committee tomorrow, Tuesday, 11 May in Committee Room 2 at 12.30pm.
Professor Noura Erakat Rutgers University, New Jersey; Dr Susan Power, Head of Legal Research and Advocacy, Al Haq, and Sadaka board member; and Éamonn Meehan, Sadaka Board member will also attend the meeting virtually.
Ambassador Kariv will appear virtually before the Committee on Thursday, 13 May from Committee Room 3 at 9.30am. Jackie Goodall of the Ireland Israel Alliance is also scheduled to attend this session. A third public meeting to discuss the issue will take place next week.
The Middle East Peace Process is a matter chosen for priority consideration by the Committee for its 2021 Work Programme this year.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee, Charlie Flanagan TD said: “The Committee is holding a series of public meetings with stakeholders following reports of the demolition of buildings in the occupied Palestinian territory, which were built with the assistance of Irish Aid, and the forced displacement of people to make way for the construction of settlements. The Committee welcomes this engagement with witnesses to discuss the issue including the humanitarian impact of forced displacement, and the Israeli policy in relation to settlements.”