Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. We have had several debates on the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in the House in recent weeks. It is clear there is genuine concern on all sides of the Dáil for the situation people in the region are now facing. I very much welcome that a truce, insofar as it goes, has been announced between Israel and Hamas and that some of the hostages held in Gaza will be released. The Government has continually called for a humanitarian ceasefire and for a substantial increase in the provision of aid. It is vital that the people of Gaza now get the basic necessities of life which they so desperately need. The humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip is appalling. We were all shocked by the number of people who have been killed since 7 October. The last report from the Gaza Health Ministry said that 4,500 Palestinian children have been killed and a further 1,500 are missing. The number is difficult to comprehend. On Monday, 20 November, World Children's Day, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator, Lynn Hastings appealed to the "parties to the conflict to protect Palestinian and Israeli children and their rights". All children in the conflict have to be protected. Sadly this has not been in evidence in the actions of the parties to date.

We have witnessed vast physical destruction in Gaza. Homes, hospitals and vital infrastructure have all been destroyed. This is having a horrifying effect on people, many of whom now have no home and no access to healthcare. Some 1.5 million people are now displaced and need significant support. I welcome that the flow of aid into Gaza has increased in recent days. It is imperative that this continues, so that the level of aid truly reflects the needs of the people of Gaza. Water, food, fuel and medicines are all in very short supply. People are hungry, there is limited access to clean water and hospitals are no longer functioning. The Irish Government has significantly contributed to an increase in aid to the people of Palestine. This dire situation must be alleviated by ensuring that sufficient quantities of supplies reach those who need them.

There is a critical need for a durable humanitarian ceasefire and the Government has reiterated this point at every single available opportunity, including at the European Union and the United Nations. At the extraordinary EU Foreign Affairs Council, which took place on Monday, the Tánaiste repeated this point and briefed his EU counterparts on his recent visit to the region. He is one of a minority of foreign ministers who have been able to visit the region recently. It is not his first time in the region, either. He called on the European Union to focus on urgent calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The Tánaiste is also engaging with his EU counterparts to discuss the role the EU can play to bring about sustainable peace. While there has been some criticism from the Opposition regarding what the Tánaiste has said and done, I noted Deputy Ó Ríordáin's statement, which by and large was very complimentary of the Government's position. In all international forums, the Government has emphasised that hospitals, medical supplies and civilians must be protected under international humanitarian law. The attacks in recent weeks on hospitals and other essential infrastructure is very concerning. I welcome the progress made in securing a UN Security Council resolution last week, which called for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" and for the release of all hostages. While we in Ireland would certainly like to have seen stronger language, including a call for humanitarian ceasefire, the adoption nonetheless demonstrates that the international community can work together to send a strong message. This is the first time that the UN Security Council has been able to speak on the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since 2016. It comes after several previous attempts had failed. Importantly, the resolution calls on all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population in Gaza of basic services and aid.

Last week the Tánaiste visited Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The meetings he had there focused on his call for a humanitarian ceasefire, on the Irish citizens seeking to leave Gaza and on the case of an Irish person taken hostage, nine-year-old Emily Hand. In his meetings with Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, the Tánaiste outlined Ireland's commitment to international law and the applicability of international humanitarian law to all parties to the conflict. Truly this was fruitful diplomacy in action.

These rules are not optional and nor are they applicable to only one party. They are fundamental and apply to everybody and all parties in the conflict. The visit of the Tánaiste last week demonstrates the value of maintaining an open channel of diplomatic communication. He has previously been to the region. He was not in Gaza on this occasion but he has visited Gaza in the past. There were some difficulties in securing access to Gaza at the time but he managed to do so. When our citizens need our support and when we need to deliver the messages that matter most all of us, it is important that we do so openly and in person. In the past week, I have been really pleased to see that many of the Irish people in Gaza who sought to leave have been able to do so. The total number of citizens and their dependants who the Government has been able to help to leave Gaza now stands at 51. Thankfully, many of these people have now arrived back in Ireland. The Government continues to work for Irish citizens who remain in Gaza. It is consistently working with the relevant authorities in instances where they and accompanying dependants wish to leave. I want to thank not only the Tánaiste and his team but also all the officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the people on the ground engaged in diplomacy every single day of the week in Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. They are seeking to keep the channels of communication open and to protect and secure the safety of our citizens. They do extraordinary work in very difficult circumstances, particularly in this case

I reiterate the Government's condemnation of the attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October. This was a barbaric act which killed 1,200 people, among them young people enjoying a music festival and people in peaceful communities celebrating a holiday. The taking of hostages by Hamas was an act marked by its cruelty. Our position on this is clear. The taking of hostages is a breach of international law and must be condemned and the hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. I welcome that the deal announced overnight includes the release of some hostages. The Government has been focused on the case of Emily Hand. Last week Emily had her ninth birthday.

The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the President all met her father, Tom, during his visit to Ireland and the Government has raised her case at the highest level with regional leaders, including the Tánaiste on his visit to the region, which is what we would expect and is what a foreign minister and diplomats do.

We should also bear in mind that, as many have mentioned, the Gaza Strip is only part of the occupied Palestinian territory. The situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is also deeply concerning. There has been a substantial increase in attacks on Palestinians by Israelis living in illegal settlements. These attacks have resulted in the death and injury of Palestinian civilians, as well as the displacement of Palestinian communities from their homes. This violence must be stopped. Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to ensure that civilians are protected and this responsibility must be taken seriously. I call for all instances of settler violence to be properly investigated and for those responsible to be held to account.

Ireland remains a strong supporter of international law and of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. The situation in Palestine is already under investigation by the International Criminal Court prosecutor and the prosecutor has confirmed that this investigation also covers events on and since 7 October. Indeed, the Government has announced that Ireland will make an additional contribution of €3 million to support the work of the court in addition to our annual contribution of €1.4 million.

As we deal with the current devastating crisis before us, it is important that we remember to focus on the long-term political horizon. It is vital that we redouble our efforts to work towards a lasting peace in the region, one which provides security and stability for Israelis and Palestinians alike. It is welcome that the EU and regional partners are engaged in this and understand that we cannot return to the status quo ante. The Palestinians deserve a future which includes their own state. We must continue to work for a future with a two-state solution at its centre, in line with international law. No one is suggesting that this is easy or that difficulties have not been placed in its way, but it is incumbent on us all and on the entire international community to strive to achieve it.

See this speech in context