Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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132. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking in response to increased tensions in Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17701/23]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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138. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking in response to increased tensions in Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17959/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 138 together.

The recent upsurge in violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is of deep concern.

I have clearly condemned the violence by Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and have urged respect for the status quo at the holy sites. Furthermore, I have condemned rocket fire into Israel and all violence against civilians, including acts of terrorism in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

I have also made it clear that the events we have witnessed are a direct consequence of the failure to address the root causes driving the conflict.

I welcome the Israeli and Palestinian commitments made at Aqaba on 26 February and Sharm El-Sheikh on 19 March to pursue actions to de-escalate the current cycles of violence and move towards peaceful settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. However, we must see credible and urgent actions to fulfil these.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will address recent developments at its forthcoming meeting in April. The EU has consistently underlined that the only lasting solution to the conflict can be through relaunching meaningful negotiations between the parties on realising a two-State solution. The focus of all parties, must be on urgent de-escalation and on the restoration of a genuine political horizon.