Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [44965/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have had a number of recent engagements with Leaders at which the situation in the Middle East was discussed.

On 25 October, I welcomed the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, to Government Buildings.

The Prime Minister briefed me on the situation on the ground in Lebanon and the very significant challenges faced by his government. We agreed on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, and I stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon. The targeting of peacekeepers is a violation of international humanitarian law, and Israel and Hezbollah have an obligation to secure the safety of peacekeepers.

The situation in the Middle East was also discussed at the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit held in Brussels on 16 October, and at the meeting of the European Council on 17 October.

The European Council called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a hostage deal and a surge in unhindered humanitarian assistance. I reiterated the need to use all levers at our disposal to bring about this, repeating my call for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which has only become more pressing in light of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of July on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories.

The European Council also condemned in the strongest terms the unacceptable attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces against UNIFIL, called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for all sides to respect UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

I spoke with President Herzog of Israel on 14 October to convey our condolences to the Israeli people on the anniversary of 7 October and to raise with him directly our concerns about the situation in Gaza and in Lebanon, including the need to respect the role and mandate of peacekeepers at all times.

I visited Washington D.C. on 8-10 October to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States. During my visit, I met with President Biden. Our discussions included the Middle East, and especially the desperate situation in Gaza.

I conveyed to the President the strong views of the Irish people and Government, and the need to see an immediate end to the indiscriminate death and destruction. I expressed to him my view that while Israel has the right to self-defence, it must always exercise it in keeping with international law. I thanked the President for his efforts and those of his Administration to bring about a ceasefire that can facilitate the return of hostages and the surging of aid into Gaza.

The situation in the Middle East was a particular focus during my visit to New York and attendance at the United Nations High Level week on 22-25 September, where I had meetings with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas; King Abdullah II of Jordan; and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

I have also spoken to the Secretary General Guterres in the period since, including with regard to the safety of peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL.

The issue also came up in my meeting with President of Vietnam, Tȏ Lȃm, on 3 October during his State Visit to Ireland.