Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his engagements with the EU-Israel Association Council, following the recent meeting of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. The Association Council provided an opportunity for full and frank engagement with Israel on issues of concern, on the wider EU-Israel relationship and for the delivery of key messages at a critical moment for Israel, Palestine and the region. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel, Gideon Sa'ar.

I welcome that, following intensive discussions at working level, an EU statement was agreed for this meeting, enabling the EU to speak with once voice on urgent and pressing issues, such as calling for the ceasefire and hostage release deal to be fully implemented to allow all the hostages to be released, and to ensure a permanent end to hostilities; rejecting any attempt at demographic or territorial changes in Gaza; condemning the further escalation in the West Bank; calling for full and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip; condemning any attempt to obstruct UNRWA’s capacity to operate its mandate and; reaffirming the EU’s unwavering commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on the basis of the two-State solution.

In my intervention, I underlined that each of the EU’s bilateral relationships must be grounded in respect for international law and our fundamental principles. I reiterated Ireland's condemnation of Hamas and its terror attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and urged that the ceasefire and hostage release deal be implemented in all its phases. I welcomed the release of hostages to date, and called for all hostages to be returned to their families. I expressed grave concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and underlined the EU’s call for full and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid. I made clear that the EU rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and stresses the importance of unifying Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. I called attention to the EU’s strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and activities, and to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-State solution, including extremist settler violence. I also underlined that UNRWA is indispensable to the provision of services in the immediate term and expressed concern about legislation that has the effect of preventing UNRWA fulfill its vital mandate and undermining fundamental rights and freedoms, including the proposed NGO Taxation Bill.