Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
18. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has assessed the humanitarian and security impact of increasing settler activity and restrictions on Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including access to healthcare, education and essential infrastructure; the engagement Ireland has undertaken with international partners on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38375/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is deeply concerned by the sharply deteriorating situation in the West Bank, in particular the massive expansion of settlements and rampant and escalating settler violence, which continues in an atmosphere of impunity, restricting life for Palestinians across the West Bank.
Ireland, alongside EU partners, is strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy and activities, including in and around East Jerusalem. We continue to call on Israel to immediately halt these activities. I welcomed political agreement at the May Foreign Affairs Council on a package of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and entities, as well as leading Hamas figures, under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. I once again called on the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum to suspend the trade elements of the Agreement as previously proposed by the European Commission. I also requested that the Commission bring forward a proposal to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements in the oPt on the basis of the EU’s Common Commercial Policy, for decision at the June FAC.
Ireland is concerned about attempts to suffocate the Palestinian economy and I continue to call upon Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax clearance revenues to the Palestinian Authority. I also call on Israel to take all necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks remain in place.
On 8 April, I announced that Ireland will provide an additional financial contribution of €3 million to the Palestinian Authority for the continued provision of essential public services. This payment is being made via the EU PEGASE instrument and is part of Ireland’s contribution as a member of the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority.
The Government is committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority, both politically and financially. Political and economic security in the West Bank is central to its stability and to the security of the wider region, as well as being an essential component to the viability of the two-State solution. Ireland has provided over €122 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023 and over €19 million so far this year.
