Middle East

Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Questions (14)

Matt Carthy

Question:

14. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs noting the obligations of contracting parties to the EU/Israel Association agreement arising from its necessitation of 'respect for human rights and democratic principles' as 'an essential element of the relationship', the letter of An Taoiseach of 14 February 2024 to the President of the European Commission outlining concerns in relation to such, and Ireland's obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, if he has considered exercising Ireland's rights under Article 265 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union arising from the Commission's failure to act in relation to the ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza, opening infringement proceedings against the European Commission at the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45365/24]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

In February 2024, the then Taoiseach, together with the Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, wrote 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. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March and by the Taoiseach in a meeting with President Von Der Leyen on 11 April.

In subsequent meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, Ireland has repeatedly called for an EU-Israel Association Council to be convened urgently, in order to review Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Agreement. As the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has made clear, the next Association Council meeting cannot be ‘business as usual’.

Israel’s military operations in Gaza are deeply concerning. Ireland, together with likeminded EU member states, will continue to press within the EU for a fundamental review of EU-Israel relations, including the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

At a national level, I have directed my officials to file a declaration of intervention in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention.