Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the ongoing situation in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40518/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Palestine is a central priority for the Government and a key focus of my international engagement. I welcome that I had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa during UN High Level Week in September, enabling a detailed exchange of views on the situation on the ground as well as on Ireland's ongoing support for the Palestinian Authority.

I remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is catastrophic. The Government has been consistently calling for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, which is the only thing that can put an end to the violence and enable a full-scale humanitarian response in Gaza.

I am also extremely concerned by the escalation of settler violence in the West Bank, and the recent large-scale military operations conducted by Israel there involving the use of air strikes and resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. I fully support the call of the UN Secretary General for an immediate cessation of these operations.

I welcomed the Advisory Opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice on 19 July which found that Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is unlawful and must be brought to an end as rapidly as possible. Ireland co-sponsored and voted in favour of the Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 September in response to the Advisory Opinion. I am engaging with partners to see how we can now bring to bear this authoritative opinion by the Court to end to Israel’s illegal presence in the OPT, and bring about the full realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

Ireland's approach remains grounded in the belief that the only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-state solution. In this respect, the need for concrete steps towards the implementation of the two-State solution is also a key focus of my ongoing engagement.