Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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114. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent United Nations committee decision to adopt a draft Palestinian resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel's occupation of Palestinian land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57535/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I welcomed the adoption by the UN Fourth Committee of the Resolution on “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem”.

This Resolution addresses a number of key concerns that are consistent with Ireland’s longstanding position, including calling for urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians and demanding that Israel cease all of its settlement activities. It has been supported by Ireland in successive sessions of the General Assembly, including this year.

An important new element in this year’s Resolution was a request to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on issues arising from Israel’s continuing occupation of Palestinian territory.  The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Advisory opinions of the Court, while not legally binding, can nevertheless contribute to the clarification of international law and therefore, given the authority of the Court, may carry significant weight. The deteriorating situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territory is deeply concerning and it is important that the international community supports Palestinian efforts in seeking legal responses to the occupation. Ireland is a firm supporter of the ICJ and welcomes the increased recourse of States to its advisory role in clarifying international law.