Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
172. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the communications he has had with the European Union and the United States regarding the provision of arms and economic support to Israel following Israel’s breach of ceasefire in Gaza and escalating settler violence in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15533/25]
View answerThe Israeli-Palestine conflict, including developments in Gaza and the West Bank, continues to be a central focus of my international engagement.
The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, including the release of remaining hostages and the resumption of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
This is a position that I fully share with my EU partners and one that I emphasised during my recent visit to the United States. The United States has made an important contribution to securing the ceasefire and hostage release deal. Together with the other mediators Egypt and Qatar, the US remains a key player in pressing the parties to return to the table to resume the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Compliance with international law is also central to Ireland’s approach at EU and international level. Ireland has both bilaterally and at multilateral level, repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law. All parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times. Hospitals and health facilities, medical and humanitarian personnel, must be protected.
There must be accountability for all violations of international law, irrespective of the party, and this includes Hamas and the violations for which it is responsible.
It is also vital that the perpetrators of intensifying instances of settler violence are held to account. This is a matter I have raised with my European counterparts at successive meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I welcomed that the European Council in its October Conclusions agreed to take work forward on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations which support them. It is important that further listings are considered.
It is incumbent on all States to assess whether their relations with Israel are consistent with their obligations under international law. The implications of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July (on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory) must also be assessed by States.
