It is disgusting that, as Israel targets and kills innocent men, women and children across Lebanon with impunity, the EU remains silent
As Israel commits barbaric war crimes in Lebanon, the Taoiseach must join with the Spanish Prime Minister and demand a suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson.
Senator Stephenson said:
“The ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran included an end to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. That is clear from the text of the agreement circulated by the Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
“Despite this, Israel has opted to unilaterally continue its carpet bombing of Lebanon – in a clear attempt to collapse this fragile ceasefire agreement. Yesterday, it launched what can only be described as a barbaric attack on multiple civilian targets across Beirut leading to huge levels of death, injury and devastation.
“As it stands, the Strait of Hormuz, which opened briefly yesterday, is now closed again because Israel are in breach of the terms of the ceasefire agreement – and the region now stands, yet again, on the brink of an escalating conflict.
“It is despicable and disgusting that, as Israel targets and kills innocent men, women and children across Lebanon with impunity, the EU remains silent. No war crime, committed by Israel, is apparently sufficiently grave for the EU to take action against what is clearly a rogue state.
“The Spanish Prime Minister is alone in the EU in having forcefully criticised the US and Israel’s illegal war in Iran – and he has now been heavily critical of Israel’s murderous campaign in Lebanon. He has demanded the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement.
“That agreement should have been suspended long ago, but our own Taoiseach should now work with Spain – and other EU member states – to advocate for strong action and sanctions on Israel.
“The Irish government cannot continue to stand back and remain silent as Israel attempts to annihilate Lebanon and its people – in the same way that it annihilated Gaza.”