Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Leyden and Norris for raising this very important matter and for their understanding regarding the unavailability of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade this morning. There are two current demolition-eviction cases which have been the subject of recent reporting. Many of us in the Oireachtas have received correspondence relating to them. Some 46 Bedouin communities in the hills east and north east of Jerusalem, containing about 7,000 people, have been the subject of relocation orders since 2011. They have been ordered to move to three designated resettlement areas, in one of which some Bedouin removed earlier are already located. This threat has been hanging over the villagers for some time, and former Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, visited one of the threatened locations during his January 2012 visit to the region to support the villagers.

However, there are indications now that the Israeli authorities are progressing their plans. A retired general has been appointed to liaise with the communities and oversee the transfer and work is ongoing on preparing the relocation sites. A total of 18 of these communities are in the strategic E1 area adjacent to Jerusalem, which has previously been the subject of strong US and EU pressure on the Israeli authorities because of its strategic location and previous settlement moves there have been withdrawn. The implementation of this plan now may provide an early indication of the intentions of the new Israeli government in respect of settlements.

In a separate case, the village of Susiya in the south Hebron hills is also subject to a general demolition order and a previous injunction freezing this while a planning process was completed was set aside by an Israeli court in May. In theory, this allows demolition to proceed. While this has not yet occurred, it must be assumed that the authorities intend to proceed, perhaps after Ramadan is over.

Both of these cases are classic examples of the policies of eviction, dispossession and demolition which are being relentlessly advanced as part of the Israeli occupation - in many, but not all, cases to allow for the expansion of nearby Israeli settlements. The pretext is generally lack of planning permission for residential and other structures but in practice, it is impossible for Palestinians in Area C, which is 60% of the West Bank, to obtain such permission. Many of these families have already been subject to dispossession by Israel one or more times.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has said he agrees with the assessment of the UN Secretary General that these policies amount to forcible transfer, which is forbidden by the Fourth Geneva Convention in respect of a population under occupation except in specific circumstances of immediate military necessity, which, as Senator Norris pointed out, do not apply here. Thus, they are contrary to international law. These policies are, therefore, an intrinsic feature of the occupation. Both Ireland and the EU have clearly and consistently condemned the expansion of settlements and the associated policies of evictions and dispossession, most recently in the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions in November 2014 which specifically referenced the Bedouin case. Bilaterally, Ireland has conveyed the same messages in public statements and in diplomatic contacts in Israel and with the Israeli embassy here, at EU and UN level at the Human Rights Council in Geneva and directly with the Israeli Government, most recently with the Israeli foreign Minister during the visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to the region in February.

We do not have the resources to attempt to follow and be active on every case on the ground in which these policies operate. Ireland's main focus is on trying to put political pressure on the occupation as a whole. However, the Irish representative office in Ramallah has made a number of field visits to the Bedouin communities and confirmed that the villagers, contrary to some reports, do not wish to relocate. The Irish representative visited Susiya in May - I acknowledge the Senator's visit - to meet the community and show support for their struggle. There was another visit to Susiya in June with a delegation of EU heads of mission accompanying the Palestinian prime minister. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to monitor developments in both cases.

The question of recognition of Palestine, or of any state, is an important issue to be considered on its own merits. It has not been raised here this morning. It should not as a punishment or reward for one side or the other. In respect of a specific request that the issue be raised by Ireland at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, I will make that suggestion to the Minister. It seems to be a most reasonable suggestion.