Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
163. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on this engagement with his counterparts in the Israeli Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50199/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expel the Israeli ambassador in light of the war crimes being committed by the Israeli Government in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50265/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what efforts he has made with the Israeli Government to end the onslaught in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50267/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 168 and 216 together.
Engagement with my counterparts is a central part of my work and of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Within this context, we maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Most recently, I met with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 16 November during my visit to the region. I reiterated Ireland’s condemnation of the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October and underlined the need for the unconditional release of all hostages. I also underlined my concern over the catastrophic situation in Gaza and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire. We also discussed the exit of Irish citizens through Rafah and the case of Emily Hand. During the course of this visit, I also met with President Isaac Herzog and stressed the urgent need to dramatically increase the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Within the context of the current crisis, I had previously spoken with Minister Cohen by telephone on 23 October. Recalling my letter of 8 October, I condemned the attack by Hamas and expressed my deep condolences with the Israeli people. We also discussed concerns at the potential for a wider regional escalation. I expressed my deepening concern at the situation in Gaza, underlining the importance of protecting civilians. I stressed the critical need for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and underlined the need to ensure humanitarian access, including fuel supplies to meet the needs of hospitals and desalination plants. To this end, I echoed the call of the UN Secretary General for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
I had also visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan in early September, during which I also met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Minister Cohen and President Herzog.
Ireland is represented at an official level in Israel through our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel is represented in Ireland through its Embassy in Dublin. I spoke with the Ambassador of Israel and conveyed my sympathies on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland for the horrific attack by Hamas on 7 October. I met with Ambassador Erlich in November as part of a meeting with the families of hostages held in Gaza, including the family of Emily Hand. My officials also regularly engage with their counterparts to discuss a broad range of issues.
In relation to the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador, as I have repeatedly stated, cutting off diplomatic relations with a country means cutting off communication channels. Diplomacy is not always, or only, about friendly relations, and nor is it an endorsement of the policies or actions of a given country. It is precisely at times of conflict and tension that diplomacy is most useful, and it is vital to maintain communication links.
