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

I travelled to Egypt and Jordan from 23 – 25 April 2024 as part of this Government’s continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both Egypt and Jordan are at the forefront of regional and international efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza, address the dire humanitarian situation and resume a meaningful political pathway.

My meetings with the Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministers, as well as with King Abdullah of Jordan, focused on our collective efforts to bring about an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. We discussed how Ireland can support regional efforts to return to a political pathway towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution of this conflict and a two-state solution, including through building support for the Arab Peace Plan with European partners, advocating for full membership of the United Nations for Palestine, and a collective decision by a number of European partners on the recognition of a Palestinian State.

I travelled to the Rafah crossing at the border of Egypt and the Gaza Strip, where I met with representatives of humanitarian partners, including UN OCHA, UNRWA and the Egyptian Red Crescent, and witnessed first-hand the unacceptable restrictions Israel continues to impose, which impede a comprehensive humanitarian response in Gaza. I did not seek access into the Gaza Strip on this occasion. My focus was on hearing from those working inside Gaza - and witnessing at first hand - the impediments to humanitarian access into and within Gaza.

While I did not meet with Palestinian Authority officials during this visit to the region, I spoke with the new Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa on 27 March. I also proposed at the meeting in Luxembourg of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 22 April that PM Mustafa be invited to the next FAC in Brussels in May, which was accepted by HR/VP Borrell. Irish and Palestinian senior officials are in ongoing contact in Ramallah and in Dublin.