John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the ongoing illegal settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13672/23]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What is the Government's response to the ongoing and significantly escalated settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories? What action is the Government prepared to take to hold Israel to account?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am deeply concerned by the significant increase in settler violence on the West Bank. Ireland condemns in the strongest possible terms all acts of violence committed by settlers against Palestinian civilians. Ireland uses all available opportunities to make this point, including within the European Union and at the United Nations. The Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv also makes our position clear to the Israeli authorities bilaterally.

The mass settler violence in Huwara at the end of February was a particularly disturbing example of the escalation in recent months. As the occupying power, Israel has a clearly defined legal obligation to protect Palestinian citizens. The pervasive culture of impunity in response to incidents of settler violence is deeply concerning.

I engage regularly with partners on this issue, including my meetings with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, including in Munich in February, and with the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in New York last week. Ireland also raised this issue of settler violence at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels yesterday.

Ireland’s position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is crystal clear. The continued establishment and expansion of settlements violate international law, undermine prospects for a two-state solution and are a major obstacle to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. We demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and that it fully respects all its legal obligations in that regard.

In the current worrying context, it is important to consider steps to de-escalate the situation and avoid unilateral decisions and actions that fuel more conflict. I welcome that an agreement to reduce tensions was recently reached between Israeli and Palestinian security officials. The focus must now be on the implementation in good faith of this agreement. Ireland stands ready to help the parties rebuild a path towards dialogue and work together to reverse the negative cycle of violence and avoid any further loss of life.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I outlined in my question, the attacks on Palestinians have escalated, as the Tánaiste will agree. Attacks on Palestinian homes, cars and livestock, along with shootings and knife attacks, the theft of livestock and land and the burning of crops are ongoing daily. Much of this is happening under the guidance of the occupying Israeli army. The attack on Huwara was described as the worst attack by settlers in many years. It needs to be placed in the context of the more than 3,000 illegal settler attacks against Palestinians that took place between 2010 and 2019. Such attacks are escalating daily.

The Tánaiste stated that he has raised the issue at a number of forums, including at the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday. I ask him to outline the nature of those discussions. More important, what action will be taken to hold Israel to account?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The attack on Huwara was particularly shocking in its scale and intensity and the sense of impunity. Israel has clear obligations to protect Palestinian civilians from such attacks. As the Deputy is aware, the Israeli and Palestinian security officials met at the summit in Aqaba, Jordan, last month, and again at Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday. I met with the Jordanian foreign minister on this issue and took his counsel in respect of the efforts he was making to broker these talks. The United States, Egypt and Jordan facilitated that meeting, at which a series of limited steps to reduce tensions was agreed. The focus now has to be on implementation. Notwithstanding the Aqaba summit, violence subsequently happened. I listened to the comments of the Jordanian foreign minister on this matter. He believes the frameworks are still there to try to reduce tensions and de-escalate this as quickly as possible. Both sides have agreed to de-escalation on the ground to prevent further violence. That is where our focus must be. That is what we have to do to give respite in the immediate phase for Palestinian citizens.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There may have been an agreement in principle but the reality on the ground is there are extreme right-wing ministers in the Israeli Government. On Sunday, the Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, claimed there are no Palestinians because there is not a Palestinian people. That comes from the same minister who called for the town of Huwara to be wiped out after the attack by illegal Israeli settlers. Only today, the Israeli Government repealed a 2005 law that ordered the dismantling of four illegal settlements in the northern West Bank that were built on private Palestinian land. Therefore, it is quite clear that there is no intent by Israel, as an occupying force, to de-escalate. Indeed, it is standing and aiding and abetting the escalating settler violence. Now is not the time for words but for action. What action will be taken? Will the Minister commit to the Irish Government raising this issue at the European Council meeting that is due to take place over the next number of days?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To be honest with the Deputy, as I said, we are all basically agreed on the issues here. Ireland has a consistent position. We used our position on the Security Council to consistently bring the Israeli-Palestinian situation to the table, as well as at the General Assembly in terms of supporting the resolution, for example, on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

At an EU level, we are endeavouring to create a group of like-minded states that can change the direction within the EU itself. To raise it at a European Council meeting, there has to be a focus and a context. At the Foreign Affairs Council, not yesterday but at the second before last, we met the Palestinian Prime Minister and foreign affairs Minister. The subject matter of that discussion was about whether we can get a proper sustained relationship and association agreement between the Palestinian Authority and the EU. We are working to try to build a significant critical mass within the EU because the EU has changed in its opinion, regrettably. Many countries do not share the perspective we have on this. I met Mr. António Guterres on this last week. Again, there is much pessimism abroad in terms of endeavouring to resolve this, not least because of the composition of the new Israeli Government-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, we are over time.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----and comments like those by the Minister, Mr. Smotrich, in particular, which are quite racist.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are way over time.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is absolutely unacceptable that any Minister would say that about Palestinians within Palestine.