Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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242. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the Israeli ambassador to Ireland or made any intervention to the Israelian government following the most recent aggression by Israeli armed forces against Palestinian society, individuals and organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44551/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The overall human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a key priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ireland takes every opportunity to stress the need for respect for human rights and full accountability, including regarding the actions of the Israeli security forces.

I draw the attention of the Deputy to the joint statement released by Ireland with the Foreign Ministries of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, following the raids of six Palestinian NGOs by the Israeli Defence Forces on 18 August, labelling these actions as unacceptable, expressing concern at the further reduction of civil space in the oPt, and standing firm with NGOs to uphold the right to freedom of expression and association in the oPt.

Following the issuing of this statement, Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv also took part in a meeting with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the EU Delegation and 16 other European states, to express concern over these actions.

I strongly condemned the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin on 11 May 2022 as she carried out her vital work as a journalist. Media freedom and the safety of journalists must be protected, including in situations of conflict, and I called for an impartial, independent and effective investigation. Accountability must be ensured and those responsible brought to justice. The use of force against mourners by the Jerusalem police was wholly unacceptable and rightly attracted widespread condemnation.

My Department is in contact on an ongoing basis with the Israeli Ambassador in Dublin and has raised all these issues with her, in addition to our engagement with the Israeli authorities through our Ambassador in Tel Aviv.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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243. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the additional steps that he now proposes to take in order to help create the circumstances where Ireland’s recognition of the state of Palestine would progress efforts to reach a solution in the Middle East peace process and protect the integrity of Palestinian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44562/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.

Ireland plays a leadership role at both EU and UN level in taking a consistent, clear, and firm line in relation to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland engages regularly on these issues in the context of the EU, including through my attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, and regular bilateral contacts with my EU counterparts. The Middle East Peace Process is also a key priority for Ireland during our current tenure on the UN Security Council, and Ireland engages actively in monthly Security Council meetings on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. In the coming days I will be travelling to New York to attend the United Nations High General Assembly High Level Week, where the Middle East Peace Process will be a focus of my discussions with a number of key stakeholders.

Regarding the situation on the ground, I have strongly conveyed our concerns on a number of issues when engaging with the Israeli Government, including in relation to illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territory, and will continue to do so. Ireland’s Embassy in Tel Aviv also expresses our concerns directly in its regular contacts with the Israeli authorities.

The Government remains committed to a two-State solution, and will continue to work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.