Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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358. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the destruction of Palestinian villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11190/21]

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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370. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use Ireland’s influence to stop Israel from destroying Palestinian villages such as Khirbet Humsah; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/21]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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373. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations he has made to the Israeli Government in respect of the destruction and confiscation of tents in the Bedouin community of Humsa – Al Bqai’a in the northern Jordan Valley. [12045/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 370 and 373 together.

I am deeply dismayed at the repeated demolition by Israeli authorities of structures belonging to Palestinian families in the community of Humsa Al Bqai’a, also known as Khirbet Humsa, in the northern Jordan Valley. These demolitions have included humanitarian, residential, livelihood and sanitation facilities.

International Humanitarian Law, and in particular, the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibits the unnecessary destruction of private property. I am particularly dismayed that demolitions have continued, and even increased in the last year, despite the commitment made by the Israeli authorities not to target Palestinian residential structures during the Covid-19 pandemic.I issued a statement on 5 February in which I called on Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfil its obligations towards this community and to cease its harmful practice of evictions and demolitions of Palestinian property.

Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah have made visits to the location, along with other diplomatic representatives. Senior Officials in my Department raised the matter with the Israeli Ambassador on 9 February. Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv has also conveyed our views directly to the Israeli authorities.

I set out my concerns on the situation at the UN Security Council on 26 January. Last Friday, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reiterated these concerns at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, following which Ireland joined current and former EU members of the Council in a joint statement on the matter.

Ireland, the EU, and the wider humanitarian community continue to support those impacted and the West Bank Protection Consortium, of which Ireland is a member, is providing emergency shelter and support to affected families.

While my primary concern is the hardship and injustice that demolitions and confiscations cause for Palestinian families, the question of recompense for humanitarian relief is also being pursued through the West Bank Protection Consortium, including directly with the Israeli authorities.