Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to recent mass arrests of Palestinians in the West Bank by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4876/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagements regarding Israel’s attacks on the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4884/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 69 together.

I am deeply concerned by the large-scale military operations conducted by Israel in the West Bank in recent weeks, in particular in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, with the stated objective of suppressing militant groups. I am concerned about the use of air strikes and other disproportionate measures, resulting in casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure, and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has made it clear that Israeli forces operations in the occupied West Bank need to abide by international human rights standards on the use of force; these standards remain regardless of the motivation of the operation.

I share doubts expressed regarding the appropriateness of this type of military response. I also question the wisdom of undertaking operations of this scale at a time when efforts are focused on the implementation of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release deal.

The shocking rise in settler violence that we have witnessed over recent months is also of deep concern. I welcome that the European Union has adopted successive rounds of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. We have seen more instances of settler violence in recent weeks and it is important that further listings are considered.

Ireland has also repeatedly called on the Israeli authorities to end the practice of administrative detention completely. We have also consistently highlighted the applicability of international human rights standards and international humanitarian law in respect of detainees, in particular obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Detainees must have the right to be informed of the charges underlying any detention, have access to legal assistance, and receive a fair trial.

These issues are raised by Ireland in both its bilateral and multilateral engagement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including in relevant discussions at EU level and at the United Nations.