I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 16, 22 and 23 together.
I was deeply disappointed by Israel’s announcement that the mandate for the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) would not be renewed. The TIPH, a civilian observer mission which was established in 1997 as part of United Nations Security Council Resolution 904 and the Oslo II accords, has played an important role in mitigating tension and conflict in Hebron.
Observers have been sent from five contributing countries: Norway, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. The area of responsibility of the mission covers both the H1 and H2 areas of Hebron, the Palestinian and the Israeli-controlled areas.
This conflict prevention mechanism has continued to meet a vital need, and has promoted a feeling of security to the Palestinians of Hebron. No adequate reason has been given for the decision to end its mandate, which would seem to be a unilateral breach by Israel of the Oslo Accords.
The withdrawal of the international presence is likely to accentuate tensions on the ground in an already fragile situation in Hebron. Ireland regrets this decision and I call on Israel to reverse it. Ireland stands with the EU in stressing that Israel must fulfil its obligations under international law, as an occupying power, to protect the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory. This decision will instead reduce those protections, leaving Palestinians more vulnerable to persistent attacks by settlers.
Subsequent to this announcement, the observers from a separate, non-governmental, protection mission that had been active in Hebron, the ecumenical accompaniment programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) has reportedly decided to halt its work in the H2 area of Hebron. This decision has been made following a number of serious incidents of harassment by Israeli settlers against its volunteers. EAPPI has been in existence since 2002, and has provided a feeling of protection, by means of their presence in vulnerable communities in the West Bank, particularly for communities at risk of forcible transfer, farmers at heightened risk of settler violence and to students and teachers in areas of the West Bank where safe access to school is not guaranteed.
The withdrawal of the TIPH has now led the EAPPI to conclude that it too must withdraw its volunteers from the H2 area of Hebron. Many Irish volunteers have participated in the EAPPI programme over the years, and my Department has met with them from time to time, and values their work.
Both the TIPH and the EAPPI in Hebron have been engaged in protecting children going to school from attacks by settlers, something which will have immediate resonance with Irish people. These children too are now under increased risk.
Ireland will continue to take a firm stance on matters relating to the Palestinian people and the Middle East Peace Process. At Israel’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council last year, Ireland raised the continued expansion of settlements, the establishment of which violates the rights of the occupied population, through seizure of their land, discriminatory treatment, house demolitions, revocation of residency, and differentiated application of planning laws. Ireland urged that Israel abide by its international legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the treatment of a civilian population under military occupation.
I reiterated our concerns about these policies in my speech to the UN General Assembly in September 2018. The Israeli authorities are well aware of our views, and we will certainly convey our specific concerns about the case of Hebron.
