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

I thank the Deputy for raising this question. Ireland remains committed to advancing a peaceful and secure future for Palestinians and Israelis based on a two-state solution in line with the agreed parameters and international law. Our central focus right now is on a durable humanitarian ceasefire. The international community must bring all of our collective weight to bear to secure that outcome.

We must also redouble our commitment to protect civilian lives and uphold international law. The international community should now make concerted efforts to ensure both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security, with their own sovereign independent and democratic states. A two-state solution must be one that includes a sovereign, contiguous and democratic Palestinian state. As noted in my replies to earlier questions, I made these points clearly in my intervention at the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum on Monday last.

On 27 October, the President of the General Assembly reconvened the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly. This emergency special session was convened in accordance with Resolution 377(V) of 3 November 1950, "Uniting for peace". The General Assembly has, therefore, already met under the "Uniting for peace” resolution to discuss the current conflict. Ireland delivered a national statement at this emergency special session, which included a renewed call on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and to allow meaningful humanitarian access. Ireland also called for a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the humanitarian needs of the population could be comprehensively met. During this emergency special session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, which Ireland, along with seven other EU member states, voted in favour of and that won support from the clear majority of UN member states.

I have made it clear that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis must also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term. Now is the time to put our words into practice and to demonstrate our commitment to a future of peace in the region.

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