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

The question originally tabled was to report on my discussions with the US or Israeli counterparts about the ongoing crisis in the Middle East as a result of Israel's assault on Gaza, in the West Bank and now in Lebanon and if I will make a statement on the matter. The crisis in the Middle East remains a key priority for me and the Government across our engagements, including in our discussions with the US and Israel. The scale and extent of the violence is shocking and appalling and I have condemned it repeatedly, as is the suffering of those caught up in this war and conflict. Ireland has been clear and consistent in calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and humanitarian access at scale to Gaza, where the situation remains catastrophic. I am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in the West Bank and by the surge in violence in recent days in Lebanon, including continuing Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel, Israel's massive aerial bombardments and ground incursions across the Blue Line by the Israeli Defence Forces. I condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel. We need to act urgently to avoid further escalation. I have called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, for all to exercise restraint and for those with influence to use it positively. A wider conflict would be disastrous for all the peoples of the region.

Ongoing US engagement is essential to finding a solution to the current conflict. I have reiterated this in all my engagements with the US and the international community, most recently during high level week at the UN in New York last month. The Taoiseach met President Biden this week in Washington and highlighted Ireland's position during the discussion on the conflict. I met the then Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 16 November 2023 during my visit to the region. I reiterated Ireland’s condemnation of the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October and underlined the need for the unconditional release of all hostages. I also underlined my concern over the catastrophic situation in Gaza and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, an issue on which Ireland demonstrated early and clear leadership at EU and international level. Current Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, engaged with EU foreign ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council in January this year, enabling a further exchange on the situation in Gaza, during which I underlined Ireland’s concern at clear breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza, notably with regard to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.

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