Middle East

Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Ceisteanna (125)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to reports (details supplied) that the government of Hungary has vetoed sanctions against extremist settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories at the European Union level, and therefore that these sanctions, and any further sanctions in relation to Israel that are supported by the Government, are unlikely to be agreed at the EU level, whether there are any plans to take action to impose sanctions of any kind without the endorsement of the European Union or the institutions thereof. [27533/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Sanctions are an important tool to promote the objectives of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy in response to breaches of international law including international humanitarian law and human rights.

I welcome that the European Union adopted successive rounds of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, in April and in July last year.

The European Council has invited the Council to take work forward on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations which support them.

Ireland is strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy and activities, including in and around East Jerusalem, and continues to call for the imposition of further sanctions against illegal settlers at EU level.

Ireland called for progress on proposals for sanctions targeting violent settlers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May.

Instances of settler violence have intensified in recent months. It is vital that the perpetrators of these crimes are held to account. The Government will continue to press for progress at EU level on this issue.