Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2016
298. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has an assessment of Israel’s treatment of minority groups, given the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision to allow the demolition of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran inside Israel and the removal of its inhabitants against their will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3749/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland consistently expresses strong and forthright criticisms of Israeli policies in the occupied territory, and its treatment of Palestinians there.
There are also concerns about some issues relating to minorities in Israel, be they Bedouin or other Arab Israelis, which indeed have been the subject of considerable debate in Israel itself.
These concerns have been discussed at EU level. They have been expressed directly to the Israeli authorities in the same way that human rights concerns are raised with many other countries, commensurate with the issues at stake.
Tragically, there are religious, ethnic and other minorities in very many areas in the Middle East, and elsewhere, who are under much greater and more acute threats than in Israel.
