Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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258. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the illegal evictions from Sheikh Jarrah in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39389/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and the EU stand by the internationally agreed parameters for a negotiated peace agreement and continue to urge the Israeli Government to uphold its international legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the treatment of civilian populations. Jerusalem is one of the permanent status issues to be settled in a final peace agreement.

Ireland provides humanitarian assistance and support to specific development projects to improve the situation of Palestinians. Ireland funds a number of civil society partners that are active on human rights issues which impact specifically on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, including in relation to the evictions which the Deputy has raised, but also related issues such as revocation of residency and the Absentee Property Law.

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. I issued a statement on 6 November in which I reaffirmed that destruction of private property is clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

I am aware of the situation which the Deputy has raised, in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, and the long-standing threat of eviction that its Palestinian residents continue to face, which has worsened in recent weeks. On 25 November, Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah visited the site of the demolitions, along with other diplomatic representatives. I understand that a temporary injunction has been granted against the threatened eviction. Irish officials will continue to monitor this case closely.