Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

624. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he intends to take at European Union and United Nations level in response to the stated intention of the new Israeli Government to expand a regime of Jewish control over all of Palestine including those lands which are supposed to constitute a future Palestinian state, given the views that were recently expressed by the new Israeli prime minister (details supplied); if he agrees that such intensification of Israel’s colonisation of Palestinian land and its dominant-settler mindset means that new political initiatives are urgently required in pursuit of a peaceful settlement; if he agrees with the concerns expressed that ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population and the expansion of a regime that suppresses non-Jews will now most likely be promoted through further state terrorism and state-sponsored violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2022/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would note that I do not agree with the terminology used by the Deputy in framing the issues that she has raised.

Ireland’s position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is crystal clear; the continued establishment and expansion of settlements is a violation of international law and is unacceptable. This position was reiterated at the UN Security Council on 19 December, which focused on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2334. On that occasion, Ireland also led a joint press statement by a number of states demanding that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and that it fully respect all of its legal obligations in that regard.

It is deeply concerning that the stated intentions of the Israeli Government continue to show disregard for the clear international consensus around this issue. It is important that the international community supports the Palestinian Authority in its recourse to legal and political responses to the occupation. I welcome that the Foreign Affairs Council in January will afford an opportunity to raise this issue, as a matter of priority, with my EU counterparts.

Ireland remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting two-State solution, with the Jerusalem as the capital of both States, on the basis of international law and agreed international parameters.