Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These issues were not raised by the parties concerned at the meeting of the Business Committee. The Government is extremely concerned about what is happening in the Middle East, with clashes in Jerusalem and the attacks on Gaza. A number of deaths have been reported in Gaza since Monday following the launch by Israeli forces of an operation in response to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. In eastern Jerusalem, hundreds were injured over the past three days during clashes. As has been said, the Government remains extremely concerned about the evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and other Palestinian neighbourhoods in occupied east Jerusalem. The Government raised this and participated at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council yesterday.

The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has raised the issue at the Foreign Affairs Council also.

It is not a question that the EU is going along with this. That is lazy commentary which does not do justice to the European Union's commitment to the Palestinians' community in terms of funding supports, in particular, of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA. For far too long in this House, Europe has been cast in a poor light, notwithstanding the extensive supports it provides for Palestinian education, Palestinian human rights and supports.

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