Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken in response to Israel denying a European Union delegation access to the State of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15505/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that members of a European Parliament delegation undertaking an official programme were refused access to Israel. Lynn Boylan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine, has written to me about the experience of the delegation and is in contact with my officials.

My officials have raised the experience of the European Parliament delegation with the EU Delegations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It will be important to ascertain more details about what happened, including clarifications from the Israeli authorities.

I reiterate that diplomatic and political contacts are essential at this critical time in the region.

Members of the European Parliament are directly elected representatives of the citizens of the EU, and it is essential that democratic institutions are seen to reflect citizens’ concerns. This includes carrying out official travel on fact-finding missions or other visits which contribute to shaping the European Parliament’s external relations. MEPs as well as Parliament officials should therefore, where possible, be facilitated in undertaking such travel.