Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on and response to the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods of east Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9189/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and the EU have consistently called on 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.

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. In my statement to the UN Security Council on 26 January I urged Israel to halt continued settlement expansion, including in East Jerusalem.

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.

I am aware of the situation in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem, and the long-standing threat of eviction faced by Palestinian residents in these areas. Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah continues to monitor the situation closely, in cooperation with partners on the ground.