Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2016

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

Ceisteanna (168)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

168. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn the illegal demolition of a Syrian home by the Israeli authorities in the occupied Syrian Golan that took place two weeks ago; that Syrian owners of between 80 and 90 houses have received orders that their homes are due to be demolished; that it is highly likely that this home demolition marks the adoption of a new systematic policy of administrative home demolitions directed at the native Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan; and if he will raise his concerns over this illegal action with his Israeli counterpart. [27630/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I have repeatedly made clear my concerns about demolition of homes and seizures of land by the Israeli occupation authorities. We have conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities, and worked to focus EU attention on them. However, my Department cannot attempt to track and take action on the case of every individual house.

All people living under occupation are entitled to respect and protection from occupation authorities. However, our concerns over these policies are most acute in relation to the West Bank, where they are working to make impossible the achievement of a peace agreement and the establishment of a Palestinian state. By contrast, it is generally acknowledged that any comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab states will involve the return of the Golan area to Syria.

My primary focus in relation to Syria at present is on the appalling violence, destruction and slaughter afflicting the Syrian people across much of the rest of the country.