Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
72. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the United States of America recognition of the occupied Golan Heights in conjunction with the previous recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; and his views on whether this will have a negative consequence on lasting peace and a two-state solution. [17591/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures Ireland or the EU will take in response to the decision of the United States of America to recognise the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 77 together.
I regret the decision of the United States to recognise Israeli sovereignty over territory captured in the 1967 war. This is a breach of a central principle of international law, which will have unfortunate repercussions well beyond the immediate context of the Golan Heights. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, including the UN Charter. This is a fundamental principle of the relation of States and the rule of law in the modern world.
This decision by the United States in relation to the Golan Heights is an unhelpful step at a critical juncture in the conflict. I made clear in a statement on 25 March that Ireland continues to regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory occupied by Israel. The EU also issued a statement which affirmed that in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497, the European Union does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.
I also made my views clear in December 2017 on the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It has been the united position of the international community for decades that a resolution of the Middle East conflict will include agreement for Jerusalem to be the capital of both Israel and the future state of Palestine.
Ireland continues to believe that the best way to achieve a just and lasting solution to this conflict is through substantive negotiations between all interlocutors, resolving all issues of disagreement, and leading to the development of a two-state solution. Contributing to the advancement of the Middle East Peace Process is a priority of the Government, and it is an issue to which I have dedicated a great deal of time since assuming my role, most recently by holding a Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in February. I am committed to continuing my efforts to support positive change in the region.
