asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to television reports highlighting the brutality by Israeli soldiers against residents of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and in particular, to a recent media report (details supplied); if he will make the strongest possible protest to the Israeli authorities for the brutality evident in the film; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Israeli Soldiers' Actions.
78.
The Government have followed with a deep sense of concern the violent events in the occupied territories. I share the growing and widespread sense of outrage at the harsh methods of riot control and public order employed by the Israeli security forces which are marked by excessive violence and acts of great brutality against individuals as the incident referred to in the Deputy's question illustrates.
Our concern at events has been conveyed to the Israeli authorities in the course of recent bilateral contacts. Within days of the outbreak of the present disturbances I made clear in the Seanad on 16 December 1987 the Government's deep concern and the importance which we attach to matters affecting the rights of the population of the territories. Ireland's position on Israeli human rights abuses in the occupied territories is clearly on the record. We have spoken out consistently at the United Nations, at the UN Human Rights Commission and elsewhere in defence of the rights of the Palestinian population and we have been actively involved in measures to contribute to the economic and social development of the territories. Our approach is shared by our partners in the Twelve. The Foreign Ministers of the Twelve, meeting in Bonn on 8 February in the framework of European Political Co-operation, expressed their profound concern at the deteriorating conditions in the occupied territories. On two occasions since the outbreak of the present violence the Presidency's Ambassador in Tel Aviv has conveyed the Twelve's views to the Israeli authorities and called on them to ensure the immediate protection of the inhabitants of the area.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to follow closely developments in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem and will avail itself of all appropriate opportunities to make clear to the Israeli authorities our concern for the population of the occupied Arab territories.