Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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139. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will use its position on the United Nations Security Council to raise the situation of Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah and the ongoing violations of human rights by the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15106/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am concerned by the situation in East Jerusalem where tensions remain high. I am deeply troubled by the evictions and demolitions carried out by the Israeli authorities in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah on 17-18 January. The recent ruling of the Israeli Supreme Court in favour of four Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah is a welcome development, but residents of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan remain threatened with eviction from their homes.

Ireland’s position on these matters is based on international law including international human rights law, Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as the occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territory, and on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that these issues are highlighted at the UN Security Council. At the Council meeting on 19 January, the day following the incident in Sheikh Jarrah, Ireland made clear that demolitions and evictions undermine the prospects for peace and risk increasing violence, and called on Israel to cease these unilateral actions and comply with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law. Ireland also issued a joint press statement following the Security Council meeting, along with France and Estonia. Ireland also raised East Jerusalem at this week’s Council meeting on 22 March.

Ireland’s Representative was present in Sheikh Jarrah on 17 January along with other EU diplomats to monitor the incident, and the Ambassador in Tel Aviv has communicated our concerns directly to the Israeli authorities.

Ireland provides humanitarian assistance, legal and other supports to specific development projects to improve the situation of Palestinians. We fund 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 evictions.