merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., has re-stated Ireland’s position on the status of the city of Jerusalem. 

The Tánaiste said,

“Jerusalem is one of the permanent status issues which is to be settled in a final peace agreement in the Middle East.

It has been the united position of the international community for decades, as set out in UN Security Council Resolutions, that a resolution of the Middle East conflict will include agreement for Jerusalem to be the capital of both Israel and the future state of Palestine. If the peace negotiations are to be successful, this will happen at the end of the process, when the full set of compromises has been worked out.

The dangerously heightened tensions in Jerusalem in recent years have also underlined the need to avoid any unilateral actions to alter the status quo in the city.

I believe therefore that today’s announcement by the United States in relation to Jerusalem is premature and ill-advised, and will be unhelpful to efforts to reach a resolution of the Middle East Peace Process, something which is very urgently needed. I conveyed to the US Government yesterday my concern about reports of US intentions, and I know that very many leaders around the world did the same. Today’s announcement is thus very disappointing and difficult to understand.

Ireland remains fully committed to supporting both parties to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Middle East Peace Process, something which is essential for Israel to secure its future, and for Palestinians to enjoy their full political rights.”