Remains to be seen if Tánaiste's Middle East tour will raise conflict higher up global agenda

'One always has to be hopeful.' Despite what Micheál Martin himself described as a productive and helpful few days in the Middle East, it would be a Herculean effort for Ireland to make the issue a top priority again, writes Sean Murray

Micheál Martin said it was very important to never forget what happened during the Holocaust. Picture: Phil Behan/DFA

Two weeks before the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence arrived in Israel, the United Nations Security Council was given a bleak briefing by the UN’s Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland.

He told them that more than 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis had been killed so far this year. These deaths came during demonstrations, clashes, military operations, attacks and other incidents. It’s the highest number of fatalities since 2005.