Written answers

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has raised the issue of the treatment of Palestinian children by the Israel military justice system in the West Bank at his recent meeting with the Israeli Justice Minister designate on his recent visit to that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My visits to Lebanon, Israel and Palestine were organised in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and in particular with the help and advice of the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Representative Office in Ramallah.

In Israel I held meetings relating to my responsibilities as Minister for Defence, and for Justice and Equality, including sharing experiences on cybercrime and road safety. I met with Irish troops serving with UNDOF, the UN monitoring force on the Golan Heights, and was briefed on security issues in that area, especially the growing risks flowing from instability in Syria. I also engaged in trade promotion activities, attended a business breakfast organised by the IDA and the Embassy, and attended the Israel launch of the Ireland-Israel Business Network. I attended Saint Patrick’s Day events held in East Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv.

In relation to the general Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I received briefings and had a number of discussions on the overall political situation. In Israel I met with politicians including the outgoing and incoming Ministers for Justice, with Itzhak Herzog the Deputy Leader of the opposition Labour Party, and others. In the West Bank I met with senior PLO leader Nabil Shaath, with the Palestinian Minister for Justice. I was also briefed on the EU’s police training mission with the Palestinian police, which Ireland has strongly supported. I also had a breakfast meeting in Jerusalem with various NGOs and UN agencies.

My discussions were intended, both as a member of the Government and as a member of the Oireachtas with a long standing interest in the conflict, to explore informally the difficulties facing the parties and the peace process, and the prospects for renewed movement towards a comprehensive peace. I of course reiterated at all points the Irish Government’s strong and consistent support for a two state solution resulting in a sovereign State of Palestine existing peacefully alongside a secure Israel. I also stated the Government’s support for the resumption of talks between both sides.

The incoming Minister for Justice, Tzipi Livni, was the Foreign Minister during a previous serious effort at negotiations with the Palestinians, and is well known for her strong commitment to the peace process. She has been designated to lead the negotiations with the Palestinian side for the new Israeli Government. My discussions with her therefore focussed very much on this perspective, and were informative and encouraging. I did not raise with her aspects of specific policies in the military administration of the West Bank. I am aware that these issues have however been raised with the Israeli authorities by my colleague the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both bilaterally and through EU engagement.

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