Tánaiste discusses situation in Palestine and Lebanon with Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, held a series of calls this morning with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and the outgoing Foreign Minister of Egypt.

The focus of discussions was on the situation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, as well as the escalating tensions along the Israeli-Lebanon border.

Speaking following the calls, the Tánaiste commented: “Maintaining close dialogue with regional partners who are playing crucial roles in peace and humanitarian efforts remains a key element of Ireland’s engagement on the Middle East. We discussed the situation in Gaza, including the Israeli military operation at the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza this morning. Any attacks on humanitarian facilities and locations where civilians are sheltering are abhorrent. All my counterparts were in clear agreement that Israel and Hamas must immediately implement the ceasefire proposal endorsed by the UN Security Council. While talks are continuing between the parties, we have not yet seen any decisive movement that can bring the hostages home, and bring an end to the mass displacement, hunger and bloodshed in Gaza.

“We also discussed the ongoing tensions on the Israeli-Lebanon border. European and Arab partners are united in calling for a rapid and sustained de-escalation of the situation. I updated my colleagues on Ireland’s contingency planning for a further escalation, including calling on all Irish citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately and maintaining a high level of vigilance in respect of our Defence Forces contingent in UNIFIL.”

The Tánaiste also discussed efforts to restore a political pathway towards a lasting peace, based on a two-State solution, stating: “Alongside ceasefire efforts, it is essential to maintain momentum for a comprehensive political solution to this conflict, based on the Arab Peace Vision. Recent moves by the Israeli authorities to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank are clearly in contravention of international law and further undermine the basis of a two-State solution. In all my calls today, there was agreement that this de facto annexation of Palestinian territory must cease, and be reversed, if we are to see a sustainable end to violence.

“We agreed to stay in close contact.”

The Tánaiste also thanked outgoing Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, for his close engagement with Ireland over the decade he served as Foreign Minister, and in particular for their close working relationship on the Israel/Palestine conflict over the last 18 months.