Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for their interventions and their sustained interest and concern about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory in Israel. I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the events of recent weeks and Ireland’s ongoing engagement.

The escalation of violence and the effects on life in the region are appalling. The scale of the tragedy unfolding before us has affected everyone. We have all seen the incredibly distressing images on our screens night after night of families, including children, suffering the most unimaginable hardship. Since this House last discussed the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, it is clear the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened considerably. The number of people in the Gaza Strip estimated to have been killed since 7 October now stands at over 25,000, while many more have been injured and the vast majority of the population have been displaced. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs currently cites reports that over 60% of Gaza's housing units have been destroyed or damaged. Only 16 of the 36 hospitals in Gaza remain partially functional. Water availability in Gaza continues to diminish, with municipals' wells operating at a mere one tenth of their capacity, and desalination plants at 7% of their capacity prior to the escalation of hostilities.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is now very grave. This catastrophic situation is worsening by the day. There is considerable risk to the lives of so many in Gaza, not only from the violence of Israel's actions but also from the lack of food, clean water, power and sanitation. Last week, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called the destruction caused by Israeli military operations heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable. There is simply not enough humanitarian aid getting to people in Gaza. Humanitarian aid is needed on a much larger scale than is currently being allowed, and it is imperative that access to water, food, medicine and power be increased significantly. The situation in Gaza cannot be allowed to deteriorate further and it is absolutely necessary that supplies be allowed to reach those who most need them.

It is also important to recall that the Government condemned the actions of Hamas on 7 October that began this escalation of hostilities. Everyone should denounce the horrifying violence committed on that day, and the Government continues to call on Hamas to release the hostages who have now been held in captivity for more than three months and to stop indiscriminate rocket fire.

The Government is also deeply concerned by the situation in the West Bank. We have seen a drastic increase in the level of violence since 7 October and the current UN reports are that 358 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including eight people who have been killed by violent settlers. The year 2023 marked the highest number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank since UN records began in 2005. Ireland has been consistent in raising this issue of settler violence in our interactions with the Israeli authorities.

The heightened tensions throughout the region are now extremely concerning, including on the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon. In the Red Sea, attacks on shipping by the Houthis are putting the lives of civilian crews in danger and having a significant impact on global trade. It is imperative we do our utmost to avoid any potential further escalation of conflict in the region, which could be catastrophic.

As the Tánaiste said in his contribution, Ireland continues to be a leading voice in the European Union calling for a durable humanitarian ceasefire. This week, he attended a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which focused on the situation in the Middle East. The discussions featured the participation of the Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers, as well as those from Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Tánaiste's contributions at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council focused on the need for the EU to speak clearly and consistently in support of a durable ceasefire. Unfortunately, despite this being the position of most member states, it has not been possible to agree on a common EU position in support of a ceasefire. The current position of the EU to call for humanitarian pauses is not enough. Both the Taoiseach at the European Council and the Tánaiste at the Foreign Affairs Council have advocated very strongly for agreement among member states in recent weeks to call for the durable ceasefire the people of Gaza so desperately need.

We will continue to lead calls, and advocate with like-minded EU member states, for stronger and clearer common policies reflecting the EU's fundamental values, including our commitment to peace. Ireland is firm that the EU should play a role in encouraging both an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of a long-term political horizon, and I welcome the engagement of Arab partners, as well as the US and others, to bring about an end to the current violence and to consider practical options to develop a longer term political horizon.

The ultimate goal of peace and security for all the people of Israel and Palestine can only be achieved through dialogue and a meaningful peace process. The Government continues to prioritise supporting legitimate pathways to a lasting peace in all its interactions.

At the United Nations General Assembly, and across our involvement in international organisations, the Government has made Ireland's position and commitment to peace clear. Ireland supported the UN General Assembly resolutions that called for a ceasefire. We continue to use our voice and our support for multilateralism to call for an end to this violence and an end to the deaths and suffering of civilians. Ireland is a strong supporter of international law and we have been firm that the system should provide accountability. We have been clear that all actors, including non-state actors, have binding obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, which prohibits the targeting of civilians.

Israel's right to self-defence can only be exercised in line with international humanitarian law. The principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality, as well as the prohibition on collective punishment apply, as they do in all armed conflicts. I have heard the comments that have been made today regarding the case South Africa has taken at the International Court of Justice. The Tánaiste has outlined the approach Ireland will take in the coming weeks following the decision on the provisional measures and after the filing of a memorial by the applicant, South Africa. These decisions will need careful consideration and, in such circumstances, it is the responsible course of action to take decisions following a legal analysis, as we have done in many previous cases.

I agree with the sense of urgency in this House to act to prevent further bloodshed. That is what Ireland is doing. We will continue to argue for the cessation of hostilities. We will utilise our role in the EU and the United Nations. Ireland will continue to lead within the EU and internationally. We will continue to raise our concerns with regional governments and in our interactions around the world. We will continue to draw on our own peace process experience to advocate for a more stable, prosperous future for the region.

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