Written answers

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East Issues

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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363. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the international community has investigated the destruction of property owned by Palestinians on the West Bank or elsewhere in the region; if the replacement with Israeli settlements is in any way monitored and discouraged by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37052/16]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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364. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community might negotiate compensation for Palestinian settlements destroyed by the Israelis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37053/16]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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365. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU representative in Jerusalem has carried out an audit of the damage done by the Israelis to Palestinian property; when the result of such an audit might be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37054/16]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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366. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Palestinian schools, hospitals or other such structures funded by international aid, including EU aid, have been damaged by the Israeli authorities in the past five years; if restoration or restitution is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37055/16]

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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389. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will along with his EU Council of Minister colleagues press the Israeli authorities for an immediate moratorium on demolitions and confiscations and request compensation for confiscated or demolished EU assets in area C of the West Bank; if he will raise the concern regarding the urgent spike in demolitions and confiscation of EU-funded structures in area C of the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37659/16]

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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390. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will along with his Council of Minister colleagues mandate the European External Action Service, EEAS, to publish and proactively disseminate the biannual EU Representative in Jerusalem's, EUREP, report on demolitions and confiscations of EU-member state funded structures and put pressure on the EEAS to mandate the EU delegation in Jerusalem to step up its role in co-ordinating demarches with heads of missions after demolitions and urge continuing support for aid operations in area C financially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/16]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 366, inclusive, and 389 and 390 together.

I would also refer the Deputy to my answers to Priority Question 25 (36375/16) and Question 55 (36124/16) on 23 November, which addressed this topic.

The issue of demolition by Israeli authorities of property of Palestinian residents and communities, including homes, schools, water and power infrastructure, and animal shelters, is a serious and growing concern in the West Bank, in particular. This practice is unjust and illegal, and in most cases is intended to push the inhabitants from their homes and land in order to give it to Israeli settlers. This is wholly contrary to the protection that should be afforded a people under military occupation. Ireland and the EU have consistently opposed and condemned this practice for many years, but regrettably the tempo of evictions and demolitions has continued to increase markedly.

A growing aspect of this issue is the question of the demolition by Israel of humanitarian relief structures, including tents and water and power structures, funded by the EU or its member States. The issue of asking for compensation for confiscated or demolished EU assets in Area C of the West Bank is a matter that is currently under discussion at EU level. Ireland has argued for a stronger response to demolitions and confiscations and, in my view, the EU should request compensation in such instances. However, not all EU partners are of the same mind. Agreement on this point has not been reached, but I will continue to advocate for compensation.

Regarding the publication of the report by the EU Delegation to the West Bank and Gaza on demolitions and confiscations of EU-funded structures in Area C, the standard assumption is that such reports are not published, and they are prepared on this basis. I have no objection to this specific report being published, if agreed with EU partners. However, there is extensive information on demolitions and confiscations available through other sources.

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