Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to meet with representatives from Amnesty International Ireland

The meeting is scheduled to take place between 15:15-18:00 in Committee Room 2, Leinster House.

The Committee will hear from Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland- Colm O’Gorman who will be joined by Campaign Director in Ireland Tim Hanley and Saleh Higazi who is Deputy Director of Amnesty International for the Middle East and North Africa.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Charlie Flanagan said:

“The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence identified the Middle East Peace Process and the achievement of a viable two-state solution as a priority for consideration in its work programme in 2022.

“Members of the Committee look forward to meeting with representatives from Amnesty International to discuss their report which sets out the legal situation regarding apartheid in international law, and discusses the various characteristics which the report maintains apply in this case.”

“Ireland raises concerns regarding discriminatory practices towards Palestinian people on a regular basis with Israeli authorities through visits to the region and through our seat on the UN Security Council. This Committee, only last year, published a report on actions being taken in respect of demolitions and displacements in the occupied Palestinian Territory and set out 11 recommendations in respect of de-facto annexation and calling on the Government and the international community to use all of its influence to address not only this but to actively seek a route towards establishing a two State solution.”

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