Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the reported deaths of civilians in Gaza from hunger with the Israeli Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42373/25]

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

I, and my Government colleagues, have repeatedly and consistently made clear, in public statements, at EU and international meetings, and in this House, Ireland’s horror at the catastrophic humanitarian situation, the withholding of urgently-needed humanitarian aid and assistance, the spectre of hunger and starvation that now affects a growing portion of the population and the attacks and killing of civilians as they desperately seek food in Gaza.

At the EU Association Council with Israel in February, in the presence of Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar, I forcibly and firmly made clear Ireland’s position. I stressed that each of the EU’s bilateral relationships must be grounded in respect for international law and our fundamental principles. I expressed grave concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and I underlined the EU’s call for full and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

I also made clear that the EU rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and stressed 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.

More recently, at the EU-Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial meeting on 14 July, which Minister Sa’ar also attended, Minister of State Byrne again raised our grave concerns about Israel’s use of excessive force in Gaza, the dire humanitarian situation and conditions of hunger there, and the need to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid at scale, in line with humanitarian principles.

The Government will continue to forcibly call for the immediate resumption of life-saving aid for the civilian population in Gaza, for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of all hostages by Hamas.