John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to join the foreign ministries of France, Germany, Italy and Spain in calling on Israel to end the construction of new housing units in east Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3883/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been consistently vocal in my opposition to illegal settlements and their expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Settlement expansion, demolitions and evictions threaten the viability of a two-state solution.

During my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory in November, I saw first hand the impact that settlements are having on Palestinian communities and on prospects for peace. I am particularly concerned about developments in strategically sensitive areas around East Jerusalem.

I have conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns about settlements, which are illegal under international law, to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid. Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv has also raised the issue directly with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 8 December. Ireland's Representative in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sensitive sites of concern in the West Bank.

Following the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East on 19 January, Ireland made a joint press statement with France and Estonia, urging Israel not to proceed with new outline plans for the construction of hundreds of housing units in East Jerusalem, including the “Lower Aqueduct Plan” between Har Homa and Givat Hamatos. The plans will further undermine the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State. Ireland supported the statement of 19 January by the EU External Action Service spokesperson which urged Israel not to proceed with these plans. I also echo calls by France, Germany, Italy and Spain for the Israeli authorities to reverse these decisions.

Ireland will continue to raise the issue at the Security Council, as well as at EU level and in our bilateral contacts.