The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a key foreign policy priority for Ireland.
Israel’s new Government took office on 29 December. I have written to Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, reiterating Ireland’s close engagement and unwavering commitment to supporting a just and sustainable peace on the basis of a two-State solution. I look forward to having the chance to speak with Minister Cohen on a range of issues in due course. The recent developments in Jenin are of particular concern and I would draw the attention of the Deputy to my public statement on this matter.
I also had the opportunity to discuss a range of issues related to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory in a phone call with the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riad Malki, on 18 January. Prime Minister Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Malki also engaged in a lunchtime discussion with all EU Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January and I welcome that there was agreement at that meeting to deepen the EU’s bilateral relations with the Palestinian Authority, including through the establishment of a high-level political dialogue.