In my previous answer, I spoke about the sharing of lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process as forming part of our international engagement, including with Israel and Palestine, on bringing about a sustainable peace based on the two-State solution.
Ireland has consistently argued that the only just and sustainable solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-State solution based on 1967 borders, with the State of Israel, and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.
Hamas is a terrorist organisation which offers the people of Gaza no future. Hamas is listed by the European Union as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all Member States. Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and its terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, and has consistently called for the unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.
The New York Declaration, the outcome document of the International Conference on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held in New York in July, states clearly that "In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State." The New York Declaration was endorsed by 142 UN member states in a vote at the UN General Assembly on 12 September, including Ireland which was a Co-Chair of one of the International Conference Working Groups.
Ireland is actively working with the EU and other partners in the region and beyond to create an enabling environment for a revitalised Palestinian Authority. This includes regular discussions on democratic and political renewal. I was pleased to attend the first ever EU-Palestine High Level Dialogue in Luxembourg in April. The Dialogue provided an opportunity for the EU to engage directly with Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. At the meeting, I welcomed the programme of reform being undertaken by the Palestinian Authority and commended progress made to date in what is an extremely challenging environment.
The importance of intra-Palestinian reconciliation and democratic legitimacy, including elections, was discussed during the meeting between my predecessor, then Tánaiste Micheál Martin, when he met with President Abbas during his visit to the oPt in September 2023.
Ireland engaged actively on the issue of the conflict at the UN High Level Week in New York last week. In my remarks at the Global Alliance for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, I underlined Ireland’s support to the Palestinian Authority and our intention to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with Palestine.
