Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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332. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the newly elected Israeli Government and some of the inflammatory language it has used with regard to women, members of the LGBTQ community, as well as other marginalised groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3041/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the comments to which the Deputy refers.

Respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is a key priority for Ireland. One of the fundamental aspects in achieving Ireland’s overarching foreign policy goal of a more equal, peaceful, and sustainable world is gender equality and equal rights for women and girls.

Through our multilateral and bilateral relations, Ireland is committed to the promotion and protection of LGBTI+ rights and highlights discrimination and human rights violations (including criminalisation) against LGBTI+ persons.

Consistent with this approach, Ireland will continue to engage with Israel on LGBTI+ rights and on the promotion of human rights more broadly, including in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the fact Israeli forces killed more Palestinians in the West Bank in 2022 than in any other year since 2005 at the EU or UN level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3042/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

Ireland has engaged actively on this issue, including in the context of our tenure on the UN Security Council. At a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 19 December, Ireland highlighted that 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians living in the West Bank since the UN began recording fatalities in 2005. Following the meeting, Ireland led a joint press statement with a number of States, which noted this tragic milestone and called for timely, transparent, and independent investigations into all civilian casualties.

I discussed the security situation in the West Bank in a phone call with the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riad Malki, on 18 January, during which he shared his deep concern at the deteriorating situation. I also welcome that the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January provided an opportunity for both Prime Minister Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Malki to raise these troubling developments with the EU collectively.