Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

According to Haaretz, Israeli officials hope that the postponement will allow time for Israel and the EU to negotiate a solution and head off further deterioration in diplomatic relations. This sounds like a well-worn attempt to lure the EU into so-called co-ordination of aid delivery in area C. In reality, this would be subordinating EU assistance to Israel's agenda. Ireland must state that all Irish and EU assistance to Palestine, including area C of the occupied West Bank, is based on humanitarian law. Israel, as the occupier, cannot decide what can or cannot be given or where it can be placed. Applying permission in advance would compromise the humanitarian imperative guiding Irish and EU delivery worldwide. Can the Minister of State confirm that Irish and EU aid to Palestine will continue to be based on humanitarian need and not on what Israel will or will not agree to in advance?

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