I propose to take Questions Nos. 869, 894 and 897 together.
Ireland and the EU have consistently called on the Israeli Government to uphold its international legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the treatment of civilian populations. Jerusalem is one of the permanent status issues to be settled in a final peace agreement.
I have consistently highlighted the issues surrounding illegal settlements, including evictions and seizures of property, which are a major driver of the continuing conflict and an obstacle to peace. In my statement to the UN Security Council on 26 January, I urged Israel to halt continued settlement expansion, demolition activity and evictions, including in East Jerusalem.
I met the Israeli Ambassador on 18 March and conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns on these issues and urged the Israeli authorities to cease this activity.
Ireland provides humanitarian assistance, legal and other supports to specific development projects to improve the situation of Palestinians. Ireland funds a number of civil society partners that are active on human rights issues which impact specifically on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, including in relation to the evictions which the Deputy has raised.
I am aware of the situation in the Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, and the longstanding threat of eviction faced by Palestinian residents in these areas. Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah has visited the site along with other diplomatic representatives in recent months and continues to monitor the situation closely, in cooperation with partners on the ground.