Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East Issues

Photo of Anne FerrisAnne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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519. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland the issue of safety for Irish volunteers working in the West Bank, given the increasing reports of settler intimidation and threats towards international volunteers and human rights observers, for example, volunteers working with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme, some of whom are Irish and were praised in recent weeks at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade; the steps he will take to ensure the safety of such humanitarian volunteers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45854/15]

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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524. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of reports of settler intimidation and threats towards international volunteers and human rights observers (details supplied); if he will give a commitment to raise this issue with the Israeli Ambassador; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 524 together.

The issue of violence by groups of Israeli settlers has been a matter of growing concern for some time now. This applies not just to certain highly publicized attacks, but to ongoing and endemic violence against Palestinians and their property, including the so-called ‘price tag’ attacks. By any standards, some of these activities amount to terrorism.

It should be made clear, however, that only a small proportion of settlers have been implicated or involved in these attacks.

Ireland has increasingly stressed the problem of settler violence as a key issue on which the EU needs to focus attention in its consideration of policy on the Middle East, and the issue has been addressed in Council Conclusions on several occasions.

We have also raised the issue directly with the Israeli authorities, most recently in senior level diplomatic consultations conducted by my Department in November.

I would be very concerned if the role of impartial humanitarian actors were not properly respected. However, my Department has notreceived any reports relating to threats by settlers against Irish or other international volunteers.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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520. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the recognition of Palestine by Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45991/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government works consistently to achieve a sovereign Palestinian state not just in theory but in fact, and all of our actions on the Israeli/Palestinian issue are directed to that end. It is central to our objective of a two state solution that will ensure the security and prosperity of both peoples.

I continue to consider carefully whether the recognition by Ireland now of a state of Palestine, prior to its real achievement on the ground, could be a helpful step towards that goal.

The motions passed in the Seanad on 22 October and the Dáil on 10 December are very important factors in that consideration, but ultimately it remains a matter for assessment and decision by the Government. Other factors are its symbolic importance for the Palestinian people, its likely impact on the prospects for advancing the peace process, and its effect on Ireland’s own influence on the issue, which is very important to us.

I have made clear that I will recommend early recognition by Ireland if I conclude that it can be helpful.

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