Irish Attorney General to address ICJ on Israel's conduct in West Bank

Speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett that the Government is in negotiations with 'around half a dozen other countries' on a joint recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The Attorney General (AG) is to make an intervention in a case involving Israel's occupation in the Palestinian territories in The Hague today.

AG Rossa Fanning SC will address the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on behalf of Ireland in a case which is looking at the legality of Israel’s conduct over many years in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It is the first time the world’s highest court has been asked to give an advisory opinion on the issue.

The case is separate to a genocide case against Israel which is being taken by South Africa.

Meanwhile, the Government is working to get the support of more EU countries in recognising the state of Palestine.

Speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett that the Government is in negotiations with "around half a dozen other countries" on a joint recognition of Palestinian statehood. He said that the joint recognition would be done as part of a recognition of the Palestinian Authority retaking control of Gaza after the Israeli bombardment has ended.

Mr Varadkar pointed out that the Dáil had voted in 2014 on a motion in favour of recognition, but that to do it alone would be "little more than a press release".

It comes after Mr Varadkar and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent a joint letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, expressing deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

The letter also called for an "urgent review" into whether Israel was complying with its human rights obligations under its trade agreement with the EU.

The Taoiseach has yet to receive a reply to the joint letter, however, it is understood there has been disagreement among senior EU officials over who should be responsible for considering the request.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell sought the views of foreign ministers attending a meeting in Brussels earlier this week and it is understood that he wants to take a greater role in preparing the response.

Mr Varadkar has suggested that there are a number of other countries that might also join the letter calling for a review of EU/Israel Association Agreement.

"This is something we’re going to follow up, something we’re going to pursue, have already been speaking to some other Prime Ministers who may be interested in adding their names to the letter, even at this stage and I’ll pursue it again in March at the European Council," Mr Varadkar said.