Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Golan Heights were occupied by Israel in 1967 and purportedly annexed in 1981. Ireland does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the area nor does any other Government apart from Israel, although Israel would seek to encourage such recognition. The question of sovereignty over the area is not relevant to the mission of UNDOF, which as I stated is a UN-mandated mission to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian armies along the line of disengagement.

I would not accept that UNDOF is effectively facilitating the occupation of the Golan Heights. I have stated previously that UNDOF was established by the Security Council in 1974, seven years after the occupation of the areas by Israel following two wars over the terrain. It is a specific mission to supervise a ceasefire between the two sides. Both the Syrian and Israeli Governments have supported it and, where relevant, voted for the continuation of this mission. This issue has received more attention in recent months with the election of the new President of the United States.

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