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Middle East Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2018

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ceisteanna (112, 121, 123, 125, 126, 127)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

112. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his visit to Israel, Ramallah and Jordan; the meetings he attended; the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

121. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to Israel; if he outlined the steps being taken at the UN and the International Criminal Court, by himself and the other 27 EU foreign ministers, on possible serious sanctions on Israel relating to the appalling deaths at the borders of the Gaza enclave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26649/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

123. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the detention of a person (details supplied); if he received a briefing on this issue during his recent visit to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26682/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

125. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26924/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

126. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he specifically raised the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements with Israeli authorities during his recent visit to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26925/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

127. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he specifically raised the movement of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during his recent visit to the Middle East and Ireland's opposition to the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26926/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 121, 123 and 125 to 127, inclusive, together.

This was my third visit as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to Israel and Palestine, and my first to Jordan and Cyprus.

I visited Jordan on 5 June, for a visit focused on bilateral relations with Jordan, and the decision to open an Irish Embassy in Amman next year. I met Foreign Minister Safadi, and discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, including the Middle East Peace Process and the Syria crisis. I also visited a refugee camp where I met with Syrian refugees, and with representatives of the Jordanian authorities and the UN agencies which are providing them with assistance.

In Israel and Palestine on 6 and 7 June, I met on the Israeli side with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli Opposition Leader Itzhak Herzog. In Palestine I met with Foreign Minister Malki and Chief Negotiator Erekat, and with Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, head of the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction. I also met with the United States Ambassador to Israel, to discuss US efforts to develop a peace plan.

My discussions were focused on the broader prospects to restart the political process, centred on current US efforts. I also followed up on the discussions I began on my previous visits, relating to practical assistance for Gaza, and ways of changing the dynamic there, something which is especially important following the shocking recent events there, on which my views are clear. Ireland co-sponsored and spoke in favour of the recent UN Human Rights Council resolution setting up a Commission of Inquiry into Israel’s handling of the protests which is now being put in place. My view that the move of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem was unhelpful, and has made the search for peace more difficult, was clear as a backdrop to my discussions. There was also some discussion of regional issues.

I did not raise the individual case referenced by Deputy Collins on this occasion, although the Government has previously expressed its strong criticisms of the extensive use of administrative detention by the Israeli authorities. Prime Minister Netanyahu is already well aware of my views on settlements from previous conversations.

In Cyprus on 8 June I met Foreign Minister Christodoulides and discussed Ireland-Cyprus relations and EU issues, including Brexit. Cyprus’ unique position in the EU also allowed for a useful discussion of the issues I had explored in Jordan, Israel and Palestine. I also met with the UN Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Elizabeth Spehar.

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