Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will condemn the recent comments by US President Donald Trump advocating for the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, the European Union and international partners have been consistently clear that there can be no forced displacement of the civilian population of Gaza, nor occupation of the strip by Israel.

This was expressed in clear terms by the United Nations Security Council in its Resolution 2735 of 10 June 2024, in which it rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of Gaza. In this context, the Security Council also reiterated its unwavering commitment to the two-State solution and stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

I warmly welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release deal reached in January, the release of hostages that has taken place to date, and urge all concerned to continue to meet their commitments under the agreement. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 January, I underlined the need for a clear framework under which those who have been displaced by the conflict can return home. Palestinian Authority governance will be crucial in this regard. The EU must be ready to support the Palestinian Authority, working with partners in the region and beyond, creating an enabling environment for a revitalised Palestinian Authority.

Ireland's approach at EU and international level remains grounded in the belief that the only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, with the State of Israel, and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.