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

That is an unfair and incorrect assessment of it. Ireland has called it out. As Minister I have called out the actions in terms of expansions of settlements. We have repeatedly called it out at all international forums. We have submitted a very comprehensive statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem.

It is quite a substantive and robust submission, and it is now at the discretion of the court as to whether it publishes that and the various submissions. We are very clear on calling out what is unacceptable behaviour. When I meet with other leaders across the world, some African leaders will say this about Europe in terms of consistency in respect of Ukraine and Palestine, but they check themselves. They cannot say that to Ireland because we are consistent on territorial integrity, sovereignty and human rights, and we are perceived to be. They may say it to others, because other countries might have different backgrounds and history in respect of their presence and engagement with Africa, for example, because there has been a big debate in the context of Ukraine. When we engage with African leaders and interlocutors in respect of support or otherwise for Ukraine or, indeed, tolerance of Russian aggression, the Irish position is very clear: Russia violated the UN charter. Its invasion is illegal and immoral. Our view is that Israel’s behaviour in respect of the occupied territories violates the United Nations resolutions, which we have been very clear about, and international law.

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