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

My Department continues to be in daily contact with a number of Irish citizens registered with us in Gaza and I am acutely aware of their situation.

Staff in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, our Representative Office in Ramallah and Consular Officials in Dublin continue to monitor the situation and the welfare of citizens closely. My officials are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel regarding those citizens who remain in Gaza and wish to leave.

We are working on this issue as an urgent priority, coordinating closely with the relevant authorities. We will advise citizens as soon as it is cleared to leave, putting in place arrangements to provide consular assistance once citizens cross into Egypt.

We will remain in constant communication with Irish citizens on the ground, including those with accompanying dependents, and will continue to give verified updates and support to them directly as soon as we have new information.

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

Ireland has a long-standing commitment to supporting all efforts to achieve a just and lasting two-State solution. A two-State solution based on international law and internationally agreed parameters represents the only sustainable prospect that will enable Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace.

Since 7 October, I have been engaged with my European Union counterparts and regional actors on the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. This includes dialogue with both the Israeli and Palestinian Foreign Ministers. The Taoiseach has also discussed the conflict with EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council. Ireland's priority remains the protection of civilians and adherence to international law.

The Government has long afforded a high priority to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I visited to the region in September, which provided an important opportunity to engage with my political counterparts and civil society partners active on the ground. I was also pleased to participate in the ‘Peace Day Event’ during the UN General Assembly High Level Week in September which was convened by the EU, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the League of Arab States.

Now, more than ever, all efforts must be made to ensure a humanitarian ceasefire and restoration of a long-term political horizon to ensure peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

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

Avoiding a wider escalation of this conflict is a key focus of the urgent engagement that I have been undertaking in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

I strongly urge all relevant actors to step back from any further escalation and I have taken careful note of the statement made last Friday by the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in this regard.

Within the European Union, I discussed this with my counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council. The situation was also discussed at the European Council on 27 October. The conclusions of the meeting note the need to avoid regional escalation and to engage with partners in this respect including with the Palestinian Authority.

I have engaged at a bilateral level with several partners in the region. I have spoken with my Iranian counterpart and urged him in the strongest terms to bring his influence to bear in avoiding regional escalation and in insisting on the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. I have also spoken with the Defence Minister of Lebanon, Maurice Sleem. I underlined our concern about the current situation at the Lebanon-Israel border and Hezbollah’s role in the conflict. I also discussed the role of our troops in UNIFIL and emphasised the importance of their safety and security. I have also spoken with my Palestinian, Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi, Qatari and Emirati counterparts, and am in ongoing contact with other EU Foreign Ministers. I will also have the opportunity to discuss this issue with Foreign Minister Wang Yi during my visit to China from 6 - 9 November.

I welcome that other partners have also been engaged in diplomatic efforts to avoid a regional escalation. I note in particular the intensive efforts of the United States, including visits by Secretary State Anthony Blinken to the region to engage with regional partners.

It is important that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term. I will continue to underline this point in my ongoing engagement with EU, regional and international partners.