Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the Israeli government in response to the demolition of the EU-funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib in the occupied Palestinian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22792/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the EU to demand compensation from the Israeli government in response to the demolition of the EU-funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib in the occupied Palestinian territory by the IDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22793/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.

I have been consistently forthright in voicing my opposition to Israeli settlement activity, including demolitions of Palestinian property, in the occupied West Bank. These actions are a clear violation of international law and stand in the way of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

As I noted in my statement on 9 May, I am disturbed by the demolition on 7 May by Israeli authorities of an EU funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib, in the occupied West Bank. Such acts negatively impact essential education for Palestinian children. I urge Israel not to proceed with further demolitions and to cease all settlement activities.

Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that these issues are highlighted both locally and in international fora.

Ireland’s Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises these matters in its contacts with the Israeli authorities.

Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sites of concern in the West Bank, including a recent visit to the school in Jubbet Adh Dhib. Ireland is pursuing compensation for demolished humanitarian structures with a group of EU Member States through the West Bank Protection Consortium.

The Consortium has sought compensation of approximately €1.3 million in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. Ireland provided €300,000 in funding to the Consortium in 2022, underling our commitment to reducing the vulnerability of Palestinian communities living in Area C of the West Bank.