Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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167. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of representations which have been made regarding the 6,500 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons and detention centres, 300 of which are children; if he has made representations regarding the recent hunger strike which commenced on 17 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22242/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The incidence and conditions of detention of Palestinians by Israel is an issue which has consistently featured over recent years in our dialogue with Israeli authorities, both here in Ireland and in Israel, as well as in our discussions at EU and UN level. Within those representations, there has been a particular focus on detention of children, and Ireland raised this question in our intervention at the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013. In relation to the current situation, we cannot support the use of hunger strikes as a means of exerting pressure. There is a real risk of attitudes hardening on either side, leading to tragedy. We do not want to say anything that could add to that risk. I am aware that previous hunger strikes have been resolved, allowing a tragic outcome to be avoided.

I will not comment therefore on the specific issues which the strikers have apparently raised. However, I would reiterate our essential position – which should be an obvious one – which is that detained Palestinians should have the same protections and conditions that Israel affords its own citizens.

My Department raised this issue with the Israeli Ambassador on 9 May.

The EU missions in Palestine issued a statement on Saturday concerning the hunger strikes and issues related to conditions of detention, and calling on Israel to respect fully the rights of prisoners.