Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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336. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turks’s latest annual report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14680/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk’s annual report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland has commented on the report in the current session of the Human Rights Council. The report crucially notes the deterioration of the situation on the ground during the reporting period, in a persistent climate of impunity by all duty-bearers, as well as the failure to ensure accountability. Ireland expressed deep concern that the human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory has continued to deteriorate leading to a sharp increase in civilian casualties.

The Government shares the High Commissioner’s concern at the lack of accountability for alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by duty bearers in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the Gaza strip. We reiterate that Israel, as occupying power, is required to protect civilians and to act in a manner consistent with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

Ireland condemned Israel’s announcement of the further construction and expansion of settlements and the “legalisation” of settlement outposts during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner. We repeated our call on Israel to cease all settlement activity, and to comply fully with Resolution 2334. Ireland also expressed alarm at the reduced space for civil society in the occupied Palestinian territory and supported the High Commissioner’s call on Israel to revoke the designations against Palestinian civil society organisations as terrorist entities.

Ireland will continue to highlight this issue at the UN Human Rights Council and to engage with the High Commissioner and his office.