Press release
Tánaiste to visit the Middle East
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Tánaiste Micheál Martin will on Monday (4 September) begin a visit to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan. The Tánaiste will engage in a series of high-level political meetings, as well as meeting with UN and civil society partners providing support to people in the region.
In Israel, the Tánaiste plans to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. He will meet with President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied Palestinian territory, before travelling to Jordan where engagements will include a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister HE Ayman Safadi.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said:
"This visit is an important opportunity to see the political, security and human rights situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. There has been a worrying escalation in violence over recent months. Ireland has been consistent in its calls for the protection of civilians and the application of international law. This visit will allow the opportunity to discuss directly these issues with political leaders, as well as with Ireland’s civil society partners.
"The visit will be my first to Jordan since the opening of Ireland’s Embassy in Amman and I am looking forward to seeing the strengthened bilateral relationship between us, including Ireland’s support for the Jordan Young Scientist Programme and other innovation initiatives. Jordan also hosts a significant number of refugees from Syria, Palestine and elsewhere. I will meet with refugee families and UN partners and reiterate Ireland’s continuing support."
The Tánaiste will arrive in Israel on Monday evening and will depart from Jordan on Friday.