Ireland's development and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people is an integral part of Ireland’s contribution to the achievement of a just, enduring and stable peace in the Middle East.
Our focus is on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable Palestinian communities. This includes Palestine refugees in neighbouring countries.
Ireland's work in Palestine focuses on education, capacity-building of Palestinian institutions, reducing humanitarian need, and human rights, promoting gender equality and good governance.
Background
People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) face military occupation and conflict. Restrictions on movement and lack of access to land and water are daily realities. Sustainable development in Palestine is possible only through securing peace in the region. This remains a key foreign policy priority for Ireland.
It is the most vulnerable, including the refugee population, who are worst affected. Around 70% of the population are under 30. Young people are particularly affected by the shortage of job opportunities.
We help to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Palestinian people. This includes supporting the Palestinian Authority to build its institutional capacity.
Ireland’s vision is for the realisation of a negotiated two-state solution with an independent, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours, and the improvement of the quality of life of the most vulnerable Palestinians.
We continue to focus on human rights violations in the OPT, including the seizure of land and demolitions of homes.
Irish Aid’s work in Palestine covers the following policy areas:
Support for Palestinian refugees
Ireland is a longstanding and committed supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
UNRWA provides basic services to 5.7 million Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza. These services include food aid, education and health.
Ireland has provided over €68 million to UNRWA since 2005.
Reducing humanitarian need
We continue to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.
The situation in Gaza, which has a population of over 1.9 million people, continues to worsen. Cyclical conflict and an economic blockade have had a devastating impact.
Ireland provides support aimed at addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Addressing a critical infrastructure gap Ireland is funding the development of a solar energy plant in Gaza which will power the North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment Plant. Ireland has partnered with the French Development Agency (AFD) to manage all aspects of the delivery of the project, which aims to reduce the strain on Gaza’s electricity grid and support public health.
The West Bank
The humanitarian situation in the West Bank remains difficult. Ireland joined the West Bank Protection Consortium of INGOs and European donors in 2017 and maintains active membership to date. The Consortium protects vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from individual and mass forcible transfer through the provision of material and humanitarian assistance and legal aid.
In 2021, Ireland provided €9 million to UNRWA. This helped to provide services to over 5.7 million Palestine refugees.
Human rights and good governance
Strengthening governance is a key part of Ireland’s programme in Palestine.
Ireland provides funding to civil society organisations working in the area of human rights and accountability in both Israel and Palestine. Some of these organisations also work with victims of such abuses towards redress.
We also support the establishment of fair, independent and responsive accountability mechanisms.
Education
Education is another key focus of Ireland's work in Palestine, and is crucial to Palestine’s long-term economic viability. Together with a number of other donors, Ireland supports the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education to strengthen the quality of the education system. We also help to ensure more Palestinian children are accessing education.
The Ireland–Palestine Scholarship Programme provides scholarships to Palestinian students to study one-year Masters degrees in Ireland.
Gender equality
Promoting gender equality is a policy priority of Ireland in Palestine. Women and girls face disproportionate impacts from the worsening humanitarian and security situation.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a huge risk. Ireland supports organisations to enhance the role of women in public life. We also support groups who protect women at risk of violence.
Case study
Safeguarding children’s rights in East Jerusalem
A UNICEF project supported by Ireland helps to protect the rights of children in occupied East Jerusalem.
Palestinian children are growing up in difficult conditions. Many live in the shadow of tension, violence and threats to demolish homes. Poverty and unemployment rates are high.
UNICEF is working with local organisations in East Jerusalem on strengthening child-protection. This work provides safe spaces for children to play. It also provides extracurricular activities and early-childhood-development programmes.
The project also helps children who have come into contact with Israeli security forces. It provides legal support and representation.
The project supports the monitoring of violations against children in East Jerusalem. This includes taking testimonies from children about their experiences.