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

I propose to take Question Nos. 144 and 146 together.

I thank the Deputy for tabling these questions. I want to start by offering my condolences to the families of the three people who were killed in a terror attack in Jerusalem this morning. I unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism. I also want to offer my condolences to the families of the two children killed in Jenin yesterday during an operation by the Israeli security services, which I also condemn.

Ireland has been consistently clear that the protection of civilians must be paramount. Such protection is an obligation under international humanitarian law. There must be accountability for civilian deaths. The loss of life in the conflict in Gaza has been horrendous. Thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed. That is why I have consistently called for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire. The conflict must end.

I have been clear from the beginning of this crisis that any response by Israel to the terrorist attacks by Hamas must fully comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. This has been the cornerstone of my bilateral engagement with partners in the region, including Israel, as well as my engagement at European Union and international level.

Earlier this week, I attended a meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean at which I stressed that the truce should be extended. Gaza’s civilian population cannot be allowed to suffer any further. It is unconscionable that the war would resume. This is consistent with Ireland’s approach to the crisis from the outset. There can be no purely military solution to this conflict. We must lay the foundation for a credible pathway to peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

I have also repeatedly underlined the need for respect for international humanitarian law. I have clearly condemned any and all breaches of international humanitarian law by any party in this conflict, Hamas or Israel, and I repeat that now. International humanitarian law applies to all armed conflicts, without exception. This includes the prohibition on the targeting of civilians, the principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality, the prohibition on collective punishment and the prohibition on the taking of hostages and the use of human shields.

All actors, state and non-state alike, must abide by their obligations. Any potential breaches should be investigated thoroughly and the perpetrators brought to account. In this context, I welcome the confirmation by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court that he is actively investigating the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Ensuring effective accountability is a central part of Ireland’s foreign policy. Impartial and independent investigations into breaches of international humanitarian law are essential. This is why we announced two weeks ago an additional voluntary contribution of €3 million to the International Criminal Court.

The interest and engagement of this House regarding the situation in Gaza is both welcome and appropriate, but there is a continued emphasis on proposed unilateral actions by Ireland. Pursuing such an approach would simply diminish Ireland’s impact and influence. In this context, I would again recall that Ireland does not impose any unilateral sanctions regimes; rather, we implement United Nations and European Union sanctions. At EU level, the most credible and effective approach is for Ireland to continue to work to influence the European Union’s collective position. The central pillars of the European Union position remain valid. These include the clear EU position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, our ongoing concern regarding the rising level of settler violence in the West Bank, and the need for practical steps back towards a credible pathway to a political process and a two-state solution.

The European Union has quadrupled its humanitarian aid to the Palestinians to €100 million this year. I intend to continue to advocate within the EU for a more robust position on a humanitarian ceasefire, building on the welcome pause in hostilities that has seen hostages released and an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza. I also intend to discuss with like-minded member states other potential actions the European Union can take, including in respect of the situation in the West Bank. I note, for instance, President Biden's comments on the willingness on the US side to consider targeted travel bans against violent settlers who are actively involved in displacing Palestinian communities. I condemn recent announcements of funding for illegal settlements, which undermine the two-state solution.

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