Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
780. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of all tangible efforts made by his Department in the past two years at European Union and United Nations levels to oppose further plans by Israel to apply its sovereignty over Palestinian territory; if he considers that persistent breaches of international law by Israel have already occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra781. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals that he has to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international Law in the occupied Palestinian territory including humanitarian and human rights law; if he will provide what he deems as an appropriate response to the further development of illegal settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44266/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 780 and 781 together.
I have been consistently vocal in my opposition to illegal Israeli settlements and their expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Settlement expansion, demolitions, and evictions violate international law, undermine prospects for a two-State solution and are a major obstacle to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
I have conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns about settlements directly to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, as well as in EU and UN fora. Ireland’s Embassy in Tel Aviv also raises the issue directly in its regular contacts with the Israeli Government, and Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sensitive sites of concern in the West Bank.
Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that this issue is highlighted at the UN Security Council during our current term. At the most recent monthly Council briefing on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 25 August, Ireland stressed that any settlement activity and advancement by Israel in the E1 area in particular would undermine the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State and jeopardise the two-State solution.
At the Security Council meeting on 26 May, Ireland condemned the decision of the Israeli authorities to advance plans for the construction of more than 4,000 housing units in the West Bank and urged Israel to reverse this decision. Ireland also expressed concern regarding developments in Masafer Yatta, urging Israel to cease evictions and demolitions, including of donor-funded structures, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law. Following the Council meeting, Ireland issued a joint media statement, along with France, Estonia and Albania, which strongly reiterated our position on these issues.
On 13 May, Ireland released a joint statement with thirteen other European States expressing concern regarding illegal settlement expansion as well as demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem and Area C.
Ireland plays a leadership role at both EU and UN level in taking a consistent, clear, and firm line in relation to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Government remains committed to a two-State solution, and will continue to work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.
