The Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said there should be an EU-wide travel ban on Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
While much international attention has focused on Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, European officials have also expressed increasing concern about rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
They have previously said they would begin drawing up a list of extremist Israeli settlers who have been attacking Palestinians there so they may be subject to potential sanctions.
Minister Martin has said what is happening in the West Bank has to stop.
"Yes, I think sanctions should go beyond travel bans if this persists," he said.
"Israel is saying it's a small minority, but the evidence is that the action of settlers is being backed up by the IDF and with Palestinians being attacked and various communities being displaced.
"The issue, fundamentally, is if we're to have any chance of a continuous Palestinian state the action of settlers has to stop".
Israeli Defence Forces advancing in the Gaza Strip, 27-11-2023. Image: PhotoStock-Israel / AlamyThe Foreign Affairs Minister has said he will be pushing the European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
"Most recently a school that was funded by Irish Aid was very badly damaged by Israeli forces in an unacceptable way in the West Bank," Minister Martin said.
"We believe what's happening in the West Bank is shocking, it's a violation of UN resolutions and a violation of international humanitarian law.
"We've made it clear, consistently, at UN and other fora that this has to stop," he added.
President Michael D Higgins speaking as he officially unveil the newly-restored Éire 6 wartime neutrality sign in Howth, 09-04-2022. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ieMeanwhile President Michael D Higgins has called for "independent verification" of what is blocking aid into Gaza.
On Thursday, President Higgins said a statement issued on behalf of Israeli forces in Gaza, stating that the slow trickle of aid so desperately needed is due to UNRWA, was "deeply concerning and potentially undermines and detracts" from the integrity of UNRWA and its critical work.
"All of us who believe in the United Nations, its agencies and their work, and who respect the resolution overwhelmingly passed by the General Assembly, must back UNRWA and the vital work that it is doing in the most difficult of circumstances," he said.
"Those who support the UN and its agencies should seek independent verification of what is blocking aid in Gaza.
"We need the UN and all its agencies now more than ever, including those doing its most difficult tasks.
"The defence of the United Nations and its agencies is a matter not just for Heads of State, but for all those who believe in universal values of human rights," the President added.
Members of the UN Security Council vote on a resolution on aid to Gaza in New York, 22-12-23. Image: UNPersistent difficulty in getting humanitarian relief into Gaza comes despite a United Nations Security Council resolution passing last week to boost aid.
The resolution demanded all parties allow and facilitate the use of all humanitarian routes.
It also requested the appointment of a senior UN official to coordinate and monitor aid delivery.
Thirteen countries of the 15-member council voted in favour of the resolution and none voted against.
The United States, which traditionally votes along Israeli lines, abstained - along with Russia.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has previously warned that Gaza faces "a humanitarian catastrophe" and a total collapse of the humanitarian support system will lead to "a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt".
UNRWA said on Thursday that an evacuation order by Israeli authorities in Gaza meant over 150,000 people - including young children, women carrying babies and people with disabilities - have nowhere to go.
Forced to move again
Evacuation order by Israeli authorities of middle #Gaza causes ongoing forced displacement
Over 150,000 people- young children, women carrying babies, people with disabilities & the elderly- have nowhere to go
Only remaining hope is humanitarian #ceasefire pic.twitter.com/g26qi62Pro— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 28, 2023
On October 7th Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,000 Israelis and kidnapping hundreds more.
Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas and since then more than 21,300 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli bombardment, with some 85% of the enclave's population displaced.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have also killed several people being held hostage by Hamas after they were "mistakenly identified as a threat".
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
