Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
88. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has concluded its examination of a report (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I set out in my reply to Deputy Brady, the Amnesty International report shines a clear spotlight on the illegal and unacceptable treatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli state. I have raised many of the issues contained in the report directly with the Government of Israel, including on my visits to the region. I have also discussed these issues regularly with my EU partners. Ireland highlights many of the concerns in the report at the UN Security Council, most recently on 22 March at a meeting of the Council on the Middle East.
I am particularly concerned at discriminatory practices by Israeli authorities towards Palestinians and the ongoing issues of settlements, demolitions and the designation of Palestinian NGOs as by Israeli authorities. Ireland has been vocal on these issues across a range of settings, both bilaterally and in international fora.
On my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory in November last year, I saw the impact that settlements are having on Palestinian communities. I am particularly concerned about developments in strategically sensitive areas around East Jerusalem. During the same visit, I conveyed these concerns to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid in the strongest terms. At the UN Security Council, Ireland made a joint press statement with France and Estonia in January, which urged Israel not to proceed with new outline plans for construction in East Jerusalem.
I acknowledge that there is considerable strength of feeling on this subject and accept much of what is outlined in the Amnesty report. Findings by civil society organisations are an important source in the ongoing process of policy formation, and my Department continually examines the decisions that we take towards encouraging the peace process that can deliver a two-State Solution.
Ireland will continue to engage with parties in the EU and at the UN Security Council and convey our concerns clearly.
The Government is committed to a two-State Solution that can allow the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live side by side in peace and we will work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.
