Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
105. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic representations that were made to Israel regarding its annexation plan; and if his attention has been drawn to the town of Beit Sahour (details supplied) affected by the annexation in the occupied West Bank. [28298/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister may or may not be aware that my home town, Tralee, twinned with the town of Beit Sahour in the occupied West Bank in May of last year. I wish to ask the Minister what diplomatic representations have been made to Israel regarding its annexation plan and if his attention has been drawn to what is happening in Beit Sahour. We have an email from the mayor dated 26 September 2020.
I thank the Deputy. It is unusual that it has taken this long to get to the Middle East peace process in foreign affairs questions. I am glad we have gotten there at nearly 12.30 a.m.
Israel's announcement on 13 August that it will suspend plans to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territory is, of course, welcome, although that proposal should never have been on the table in the first place as far as I am concerned. The EU High Representative, Vice President Josep Borrell, also welcomed the announcement on behalf of the EU in a declaration on 15 August. I have noted with concern, however, subsequent Israeli statements that annexation plans remain on the table and I have called for any such plans to be permanently withdrawn.
The unilateral annexation by Israel of any part of the occupied Palestinian territory would be a very clear violation of international law. It would have no legitimacy and would not be recognised or accepted by Ireland or by the international community, more generally, and would be deeply damaging to the potential for a two-state solution in the future. The programme for Government clearly states that the Government would regard any such moves as a breach of international law and would consider an appropriate response to them at both national and international level. I have been forthright in my public statements on the issue of annexation and have raised this matter directly and clearly with Israeli leaders, including during my visit to the region last December and in a telephone conversation with my Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, in recent months. I participated in a discussion with Foreign Minister Ashkenazi along with my EU colleagues during an informal session of the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 August. The EU’s firm commitment to a two-state solution was restated together with our readiness to support all sides in efforts to resume meaningful negotiations. I have also outlined my concerns about annexation in discussions with the US interlocutors.
The Deputy raises the case of Beit Sahour. Annexation of this town would be a clear violation of international law, as would unilateral annexation of any part of the occupied Palestinian territory. Irish officials in Ramallah and in Tel Aviv have visited the Bethlehem region in recent months and will continue to monitor developments closely.
In the email that I referred to from the mayor in recent weeks, he instructed us that Palestinian-owned land in and around Beit Sahour is to be confiscated, that homes will be demolished, and that displacement will take place as a result of this. In addition to what is already happening, they are being deprived of their basic civil rights. Beit Sahour in this proposed annexation will lose access to 7,500 dunams of agricultural land. He said that building and zoning in the entire West Bank currently requires the permission of the minister of defence and the Prime Minister in Israel but that that will change and will be dealt with on a local level if this annexation takes place. Their citizens and the freedom of movement of members of the community living in Beit Sahour is restricted. This will lead to more unemployment and poverty and the world needs to hear the truth of his struggle and that of the Palestinian people.
There is a difference between annexation, applying Israeli sovereignty to Palestinian land and expansion of settlements, which is also in my view illegal internationally and should not be happening. The proposals around annexation were about permanently extending Israeli sovereignty to elements of the West Bank. Having said that, the expansion of settlements that we have seen in recent years is almost like creeping annexation and has caused great tensions, understandably so, with Palestinian communities who simply feel their land is being stolen from under them and they are being forcibly removed, with houses being demolished and so on. I am on the record many times as being very critical of both settlements and settlement expansion and plans for annexation and I continue to be.
The email which the Mission of the State of Palestine in Leeson Street sent us today calls:
... on the international community to hold the occupying power accountable, and to encourage real actions towards banning produce from the illegal settlements. The failure to do so to date has fostered a culture of impunity which has greatly emboldened the occupying powers and allows the prolongation of this illegal, colonial, foreign occupation for decades without upholding even the most basic tenets of international law.
Will the Government consider reviewing its position on the boycott, divestment and sanctions, BDS, issue?
My position is well understood on that and the legal position is crystal clear on this issue. Deputies can keep calling on me to do something that they know I cannot do but they want to do this for political reasons. It does not advance the arguments very much.
I thank the Deputies for their co-operation. We have a few minutes left. The next question is in the name of Deputy Boyd Barrett.
