Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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241. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what the Irish position is in relation to the conflict between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50918/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have been very clear on Ireland’s position on the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deeply concerning. Ensuring a durable humanitarian ceasefire is a key focus of our international engagement, including in my discussions with EU partners and my counterparts in the region. We must also secure effective humanitarian access as the situation in Gaza deteriorates is a priority.

On 18 October, I announced €13 million in additional funding for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, including €10 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and €3 million to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs’ occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund.

Ireland supports Israel’s right to defend itself from attack, but this must be done in a proportionate manner and in respect for International Humanitarian Law. We condemned the initial Hamas attack and continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages, without precondition. I am also deeply concerned by the situation in the West Bank, including the alarming increase in attacks by extremist settlers.

Ireland has supported the role of the International Criminal Court, which has been investigating the situation in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory since May 2021. On 14 November, we committed an additional voluntary contribution of €3 million in support of the ICC, in addition to our assessed contribution for 2023 of €1.4 million.

I recently visited Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During the visit I met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Secretary General of the League of Arab States Aboul Gheit, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. I have also had the opportunity in recent weeks to engage with a very wide range both EU and regional partners, including at the Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial meeting in Barcelona earlier this week. Throughout these engagement, my messaging has been consistent, and I have emphasised the need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, de-escalation, and humanitarian access for Gaza.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.

In the light of the current crisis in Gaza, there are intensive discussions ongoing at EU level, and with regional partners, on how to develop a credible pathway to a two-state solution, allowing the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in the peace and security that they deserve. The Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum which I attended earlier this week in Barcelona, was an important element of this. The timing and context of any decision on recognition would need to take account of these discussions, as well as the situation on the ground.

As I have said previously, this is an issue that remains under review and that I discuss with EU partners. I would expect these discussions to intensify over the coming period.