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

I thank the Deputy for his question. Policies and actions that negatively impact upon the rights of the Palestinian people were a central focus of all my exchanges throughout my visit to Israel and to the occupied Palestinian territory.

In Israel, I had a full and frank discussion with President Netanyahu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eli Cohen, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer. I underlined our long-standing position that Israel cease illegal settlement construction and expansion, as well as our alarm at the accelerating rate of settler violence, which, alongside evictions and demolitions, are making the lives of Palestinian communities intolerable.

The Israeli Government is fully aware of our deep disagreement with its policies and practices in relation to the Palestinian people and views us as among the most critical of EU partners. I consistently emphasised to all Israeli interlocutors that our position is fully based on internationally agreed parameters and respect for international law, and is shared by a large majority of UN member states.

I also met with several organisations that are seeking to find a way to change the reality on the ground, which is our Government’s priority. I travelled to Lod in Israel, which saw severe intercommunal violence in May 2021, to visit a project funded by my Department delivering a programme for anti-racism instruction in Arab and Jewish high schools.

In Ramallah, I met with representatives of civil society organisations working in the area of human rights and accountability. I was also briefed by the West Bank Protection Consortium on the deteriorating situation in area C and East Jerusalem, including the worrying trends of settler violence, settlement expansion and demolitions of Palestinian and donor-funded property. I also had the opportunity to meet with a Bedouin Palestinian family at risk of displacement.

I am fully aware of the reports by civil society organisations such as Amnesty International which characterise the situation as one of apartheid. I also took careful note of the comments and reflections shared by The Elders following their visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in June of this year. I had the opportunity during UN high-level week to exchange views with former President Mary Robinson, who led the June visit, on her views on the situation. Such contributions are increasing debate and awareness, including within Israeli society, of the discriminatory impact the policies and actions of its Government are having on the lives of ordinary Palestinian people.

The Government does not use the term "apartheid". Our focus is on identifying meaningful, impactful and substantive ways to change the reality on the ground in what is a deeply complex environment and multifaceted conflict.

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