Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his recent engagement at EU level with regard to suspending the EU Israel Association Agreement; if he will push for full suspension of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57191/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission put forward a number of proposals in September, one of which was to suspend the core trade-related provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Ireland, along with a number of other Member States, has long argued for this measure, as the Agreement provides that the relations between the parties will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which constitute an 'essential element' of that Agreement.

On 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain were the first to write to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel is in breach of its obligations.

At the EU level, at every single Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland has been at the forefront of calling for the EU to take meaningful action. Notwithstanding the positive and welcome recent developments with regard to a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Ireland has made clear its view that the EU must keep the package of measures proposed by the Commission in response to Israeli human rights and other breaches on the table. In her State of the Union address, the President of the European Commission was clear on the rationale for tabling the package of proposals, which remains valid.

In addition, on the wider issue, together with many of my EU counterparts, I have stressed the need to ensure that the concept of a two-state solution resulting in a viable, contiguous Palestinian State in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, remains front and centre in the EU's approach, and that all future phases of the current agreement are conducive to its implementation.