Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Coveney.

I would first like to restate the Government's concern at the designation by Israel's Ministry of Defence of six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist entities on 22 October last. This includes organisations in receipt of support from Irish Aid and the EU. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, made a statement on the matter on 27 October and has raised the issue directly in his meetings in Israel this week. We are in touch with the Israeli authorities, along with the EU, to seek clarification. We were not informed in advance of these designations, and have not received detailed evidence. Previous allegations against civil society organisations in the occupied Palestinian territories which are supported by Ireland and the EU have not been substantiated. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is committed to funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders through the Irish Aid programme, including Palestinian civil society. We carry out robust checks to ensure our funding is used only for the purpose intended. Terrorism is a very serious issue, and must be addressed with both resolve and evidence. This designation has the potential to impact not only on these six organisations, but on civil society more broadly across the occupied Palestinian territories and to seriously undermine vital humanitarian, development and human rights work.

Civil society organisations and human rights defenders play a critical role in promoting international law, peace, human rights and democratic values. Ireland will continue to support such efforts bilaterally and at EU and UN level. We lead on this issue at the UN, tabling a biennial resolution on the protection of civil society space at the Human Rights Council.

We believe in the essential role civil society actors play in scrutinising the actions of governments globally, including those of Ireland and Israel.

Deputy Andrews raised our role in the Security Council. Ireland will raise this issue at the Security Council as soon as possible. Ireland is a strong believer in the vital role played by civil society actors in the peaceful resolution of conflict. This is why during our presidency of the council in September we invited civil society briefers to share their perspectives. Among them were an Israeli and a Palestinian who spoke at the council's monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East. Palestinian civil society organisations must be enabled to carry out their important work free from obstruction, harassment and intimidation. Israeli and Palestinian authorities should support rather than restrict civil society space.

We continue to work with partners in protecting and promoting civil society, including in the context of our membership of the council. Ireland's position on these issues is, and will continue to be, based on international law, Israel's obligation as the occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention and on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Ireland has repeatedly made this position clear at the Security Council where the issue is discussed each month.

Ireland remains firmly committed to a negotiated two-state solution based on international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and agreed parameters. Ireland will remain seized of these matters and we call on both parties to build on steps taken in recent months to improve co-operation and reduce tensions.

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