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

-----is incomprehensible and shows a complete disregard for the loss of human life in respect of the Hamas attack on that particular neighbourhood. That is informative in itself. We have not forgotten and nor do we underestimate the impact of those brutal attacks on the people in Israel. Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been killed, including our fellow citizen, Kim Damti, and those left bereaved, left terrorised, left injured and those who have been taken hostage and their families and communities.

In addition to the appalling suffering in Gaza, it is important that we continue to highlight the increasing violence in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. This is a cause for serious concern and Ireland redoubles our calls for the protection of civilians as a priority. At European level and in the region, there is deep concern about the situation in the West Bank and it is something I will continue to raise. Since 7 October, 200 Palestinians, including 52 children, have been killed by Israeli forces, including most recently one death during armed clashes in the Jenin refugee camp. Alongside this, there has been a rise in settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities. This is unacceptable and very dangerous. Such actions infringe on the rights of Palestinians, actively undermine the viability of a two-state solution and have to stop. President Biden has indicated that the United States is prepared to take steps to hold extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank to account. This includes issuing visa bans against violent settlers. I will advocate at European level for the European Union to follow suit and implement such sanctions against the individuals responsible.

Accountability is the core plank of Irish foreign policy. In this context, Ireland voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that included a request to the ICJ to produce an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory. Last July, Ireland submitted a statement to the ICJ, including information relevant to the questions asked by the General Assembly.

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