Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Erakat for concluding our proceedings on what was a very strong, if sombre, note. I thank all of our guests - the ambassador and head of mission, Dr. Abdalmajid, Mr. Meehan, Dr. Power and Dr. Erakat - for what was a fine presentation to us. It will be fundamental to the report that we will compile during the summer months. Tragically, the current wave of violence continues in Jerusalem and Gaza as we speak. I speak for all members of the committee when I say that the right to protest and freedom of assembly in East Jerusalem are as fundamental a pair of human rights there as they are anywhere. They are fully recognised in international law and must be upheld. There are Palestinians in East Jerusalem all of whom appear to me to be protected persons under international law. As such, the international community has a firm duty not only to speak up, but to act. The current wave of violence must cease immediately, there needs to be an urgent de-escalation on all sides and there needs to be the promotion of dialogue in the immediate term. We will speak to the ambassador again in the context of our work.

We will adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday when we will meet the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Ophir Kariv, and representatives of the Ireland Israel Alliance. I thank the committee's members and our guests for their participation and I apologise again for the earlier technical glitch. My thanks and appreciation go to Ms Ciara Kilbane of our secretariat for the manner in which we were able to have our proceedings completed as envisaged.