Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The United States is an important player in the region and has a key role to play in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Both President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken have visited Israel and the region as part of their diplomatic efforts. The situation was also discussed at the highest level by EU and US leaders at the EU-US Summit in Washington on 20 October.

I welcome the role played by the US, alongside Qatar and Egypt, in securing the temporary truce and release of hostages including Emily Hand. I am, however, deeply disappointed that the US exercised its veto against a UN Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire on Friday 8 December.

I have not had the opportunity to speak directly with Secretary of State Blinken since 7 October but frequent contacts are maintained at senior official level and the US is fully aware of Ireland's position.

The US has also exercised a convening role with regard to the humanitarian situation. Ireland was represented by Minister of State MacNeill at a Donor Governments Roundtable on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza hosted by USAID Administrator Samantha Power on Friday 20 October. Minister of State Fleming attended a follow-up meeting of the Roundtable on 24 November. These were timely discussions in view of the starkly deteriorating situation in Gaza.