Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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185. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that a family (details supplied) is fighting against immediate eviction from their East Jerusalem home in favour of an Israeli family with no ties to the building; that the resident family has resided in this home for 65 years; and if he will raise this case and other illegal evictions with the Israeli authorities. [42092/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As have other Deputies, I have received a lengthy submission relating to this case. There is clearly a long legal history to the case, on which I am not able to make a judgement.

I have consistently focused on the issues surrounding settlements, including evictions and seizures of property, as a major driver of the continuing conflict and an obstacle to peace. These pressures on Palestinians in Jerusalem in particular have contributed to the tensions which have recently erupted in violence.

These views have been clearly communicated both at international level and directly to the Israeli authorities, including in a meeting at senior diplomatic level last week.

Ireland also funds Israeli and Palestinian NGOs which monitor and fight these cases in the courts. However, it is not possible for Ireland to directly examine and follow up on every individual case which is brought to our attention.

In this case I am aware that EU partners in Jerusalem have visited the family home and attended some of the hearings. I understand that for the moment an injunction has been granted against the threatened eviction.