Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on any recent engagement his Department has had with the EU regarding Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47611/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Middle East region is experiencing a period of significant instability with multiple crises, many of which are interrelated. The appalling and deteriorating situation in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank remains a central focus of my engagement with my EU and other international counterparts.

At the EU level, the situation in Gaza and in the West Bank was at the centre of discussions at the informal Foreign Affairs Council in Copenhagen on 29-30 August. I strongly urged the EU to move forward with a range of concrete measures in response to Israel’s actions which are in clear breach of its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We need to maximise the pressure, to bring about a ceasefire, the release of hostages and to end the famine. I welcome that the review of Israel’s compliance with its obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been finalised. Ireland and Spain first called for this step in February 2024.

I have also joined nine other EU Ministers in writing to High Representative Kallas to call for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. Ireland has been calling for this work for some time and will continue to take action.

The recent announcement by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, that she will bring forward a package of measures in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank is very welcome. I welcome in particular that the Commission will propose a partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on trade-related matters. This builds on the Commission proposal to suspend part of the EU’s Horizon funding to Israel. President von der Leyen’s clear statement that what is happening Gaza is unacceptable reflects sentiment across the EU.

Ireland has consistently called for concrete proposals from the Commission. Ireland has also strongly supported sanctions adopted by the EU against both individuals and entities involved in settler violence.

There is a clear opportunity now for the EU to finally take action and Ireland will work with like-minded Member States to follow-up with the Commission on the detail of the proposals.

Ireland, together with EU and international partners, will continue to work towards preserving the viability of the two-State solution in the interests of both Israel and Palestine and their legitimate rights to live in their own state, in peace, security and dignity.