Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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347. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 250 of 23 September 2021 and his endorsement of the statement by EU Commissioner Lenarčič which underlined that attacks on education constitute violations of international humanitarian law, his views on whether Israel will continue to perpetrate these violations with impunity unless direct action is taken and that the time is now to institute such actions by the international community, by Ireland and the EU in particular; the form these actions might take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48127/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As I stated in my response to the Parliamentary Question no. 250, referred to by the Deputy, I remain gravely concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly the impact on children and their education. Ireland has repeatedly emphasised that the rights of children to education without fear of violence or attack must be upheld at all times.

Ireland’s position on these issues is, and will continue to be, based on international law, including Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power under the Fourth Geneva Convention. I remain deeply troubled by the lack of accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in relation to attacks on education.

Ireland continues to be active on these issues in the United Nations Security Council. At the Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on 29 September, Ireland expressed concern about the recent increase in violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. Referring to the incidence of settler violence on 28 September in the South Hebron Hills in which a young child was seriously injured, Ireland called on the Israeli authorities to hold those responsible accountable and to end the culture of impunity around all such incidents of violence.

I have also raised these matters with my counterparts at EU level. At an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 27 May, I called on EU colleagues to address the root causes of violence, including settlement expansion, in a more robust way. I raised similar points at the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 June. It is vital that the international community does all it can to seek to address the root causes of violence and tension.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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348. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the persistent expansion of illegal Israeli settlements is in keeping with the principles of the UN Charter in the context of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in particular Israel’s persistent expansion of illegal settlements; his further views on whether the Israeli Government has habitually failed to respect human rights and human dignity in its dealings with Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48128/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has been consistently vocal in its opposition to illegal settlements and their expansion. The Government's support for a Dáil motion earlier this year, declaring that Israel’s settlement policy in occupied Palestinian territory amounts to unlawful de facto annexation, reflected our grave concern about the scale and character of settlements and their negative impact.

I have conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns about settlement announcements to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid. Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv has also raised the issue directly with the Israeli authorities. Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sensitive sites of concern in the West Bank.

We will continue to proactively raise our concerns about settlements at national and EU level, in statements at the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council, and in our bilateral contacts.

The human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory more generally remains a matter of serious concern. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels.

In February, Ireland made a statement in the interactive dialogue with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, where we stressed the importance of accountability for all violations of international law committed in the occupied Palestinian territory.

In March, at the Human Rights Council session, Ireland co-sponsored Resolutions on Human Rights and Accountability, Self-Determination and Settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. We also made a national statement under Item 7 during the General Debate, which urged Israel to halt settlement expansion and demolitions and allow for legal construction for Palestinian communities.

In May, Ireland supported a special session of the Human Rights Council on the escalation of violence. The Human Rights Council voted to establish a Commission of Inquiry on the oPt at that session. In keeping with our principled position on Commissions of Inquiry established by the HRC, Ireland supports the work of the Commission of Inquiry.

Ireland regularly raises these issues also at the Security Council, including on 29 September, when Ireland chaired the Council’s monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

Ireland also provides financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs working on human rights issues.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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349. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department by indicating support for the Jewish character of the Israeli state agrees with the treatment by Israel of Palestinian communities in its attempts to accomplish Jewish supremacy; his views on whether these attempts to perpetuate the supremacy of Jews over Palestinians amount to apartheid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48129/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We respect the strong connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

By their very nature, all States have certain inherent characteristics. However, regardless of how a state may name and define itself - be it socialist, democratic, united, Islamic, Arab or Jewish - full respect for the equal rights of all citizens – irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or other similar factors – is strictly required under international human rights law.

It is imperative that the rights of non-Jewish citizens of Israel are not infringed and that there is respect and tolerance for the diversity of its population. I am fully committed to raising such issues of equality with Israel. Where Ireland has concerns in relation to laws and practices which undermine equality among citizens and disregard the rights of minorities, particularly the Palestinian minority, we make our views known to Israel. We have, for example, expressed our concern about the Nation State Law where we had concerns that it might enable discriminatory practice against non-Jewish citizens.

All States, including Ireland and Israel, have obligations under international law, including international human rights law. In respect of the occupied Palestinian territory, we are clear on Israel’s responsibility under international humanitarian law to respect the rights of the civilian population living under its occupation, who have the status of protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention, for as long as the occupation continues.

I have raised these issues consistently and vocally, both publicly and in conversations with Israeli government interlocutors. I will continue to do so.