Ireland rejects any annexation of Golan Heights which it regards as under Israeli occupation

News from the Celtic League:

The Celtic League have reported on Ireland's firm rejection of any move by Israel to annex the Golan Heights.  Ireland's Tánaiste (deputy head of the government) who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that: "Ireland regards the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation." Ireland participates in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) which works to keep stability in the area. A new deployment of Irish troops is about to go to the area, despite the possibility of military action by Israel in the Golan. 

Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and have occupied the region since that time. Despite the United States President, Donald Trumps, recent so called ‘official recognition’ of the annexation of the Golan area by Israel, this is not recognised internationally. The United Nations does not recognise the Golan Heights as official Israeli territory. The 28 member countries, including Ireland, of the European Union  (EU) have also unanimously declared that they do not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The  EU’s high representative for foreign affairs said: “In line with the international law and UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497, the European Union does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.” The article from the Celtic League can be seen below:

IRELAND REJECTS GOLAN ANNEXATION

With more Irish Army personnel of the 59th Infantry Group due to be deployed on the Golan Heights in Syria next month units have been preparing for their role as part of the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) in the Glen of Imaal, Wicklow. This report from RTE has both audio and video reports:

https://www.rte.ie/…/1039141-whats-the-outlook-for-irish-s…/

Meanwhile the Irish government has joined other States in rejecting United States President, Donald Trumps, so called ‘official recognition’ of the annexation of the Golan area:

"Ireland regards the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation," Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said on Tuesday.

"The government has no plans to alter that position."

"Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, including the UN Charter. This is a fundamental principle of the relation of states and the rule of law in the modern world," Coveney said.”

Full report here:

www.bignewsnetwork.com/…/ireland-rejects-trump-claim-that-g…

Bernard Moffatt

Assistant General Secretary
Celtic League