Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to clarify the Government’s position in respect of issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40790/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s position on the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory is abundantly clear.

Ireland, the EU and international partners have repeatedly stated that there can be no permanent forced displacement of the civilian population from Gaza, nor a permanent occupation of the territory by Israel.

Forced displacement is prohibited under international humanitarian law and may constitute an international crime. Moreover, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 of 10 June 2024 rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip.

I have also been clear that I remain extremely concerned about the situation in the West Bank.

Since January this year, Israel’s military operations have displaced at least 40,000 people and caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes. Refugee camps in Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Jenin have been rendered uninhabitable. The scale, speed and severity of displacement is unprecedented.

In addition, there has been significant settlement expansion and an increase of settler violence that predates the heinous Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. This has been conducted within an environment of impunity.

The West Bank Protection Consortium, a coalition of humanitarian organisations and international donors, now estimates that 58,000 Palestinians across 195 communities it monitors are at direct risk of forcible displacement.

I and my officials have raised our concerns in multiple forums including in relevant discussions at EU level and at the United Nations. Ireland has strongly supported sanctions adopted by the EU against individuals and entities involved in settler violence and we continue to call for the imposition of further EU sanctions. At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 July, Ireland called for the immediate adoption of further sanctions targeting violent settlers.

Ireland has consistently argued that the only just and sustainable 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.