Micheál Martin to travel to Israel and Palestine this week

Micheál Martin pictured delivering his keynote address at the 81st Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis hosted in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Ship Street Great, Dublin. Picture: Conor McCabe photography.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is to travel to Israel, Egypt, and the occupied Palestinian territory later this week to meet with political leaders including Mahmoud Abbas.

Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday morning, the Tánaiste said: “The situation in the region is at a critical point, with a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and continued risks of regional escalation. 

"I have been engaging intensively with regional counterparts since 7 October and will return to the region this week, following my visit in September, to continue that engagement.” 

Mr Martin hopes to meet with foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and secretary general of the Arab League, Aboul Gheit in Egypt.

In Israel, he will hold discussions with foreign minister Eli Cohen and hopes to also visit the south of Israel and the communities that were devastated by the October 7 attacks. 

He is scheduled to meet with foreign minister Malki in the occupied Palestinian territory and also hopes to see Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.

"I will be engaging in particular on the situation of Emily Hand, the eight-year-old Irish-Israeli hostage, whose father Tom I will meet tomorrow in Dublin, as well as the situation of Irish citizens still in Gaza.”