Paul Murphy
Ceist:634. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will cut all trade in products and services between Ireland and Israel (details supplied). [63461/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 19 January 2022
Ceisteanna (634)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland maintains bilateral relations with the State of Israel on a range of issues, including through political and diplomatic engagement and in respect of economic and trade relations. The Government does not support boycotts on Israel. Such actions would be ineffective and counterproductive.
Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the State of Israel across a range of bilateral issues, including our trade, and will continue to do so. The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, are wholly opposed to Israeli settlements, which are contrary to international law, and are damaging to the prospects of peace.
Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in line with international law and relevant UN Resolutions and the long-standing position of the European Union. This position is common across all Government Departments and policy coherence is ensured through coordination at official level. My Department also ensures that there is information available for the public and companies regarding Ireland's policy on settlements via the Department's website.
Ireland continues to be active on these issues at the UN Security Council. On 21 December, at the Security Council debate on the situation in the Middle East, Ireland reiterated its call on Israel to halt illegal settlement activity and expressed concern at recent developments on the ground, including a record high rate of Palestinians impacted by demolitions, confiscations and evictions, as well as rising levels of violence across the occupied Palestinian territory.
I also conveyed in the strongest terms my concern regarding these matters directly to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, during my visit to the region in November 2021.