News

UEFA must read the room and ban Israel from taking part in its competitions, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney and foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Deputy Gibney said: “Our national team players, elite athletes at the pinnacle of their career, have been put in a very difficult position after they were drawn […]

The government is acting as if there is a ceasefire in Gaza despite Israel’s ongoing killing of innocent Palestinians, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israel continues to murder with impunity while European leaders talk about the progress of the Gaza peace agreement. “There is no peace; last night, […]

The government’s failure to explicitly rule out the prospect of Ireland joining President Trump’s sinister Board of Peace is difficult to comprehend, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Donald Trump’s Board of Peace was initially billed as a body that would oversee governance and reconstruction in Gaza – even […]

Confirmation today that the government intends omitting services from the Occupied Territories Bill is shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Minister of State Thomas Byrne let the cat out of the bag in an interview today when he confirmed services would be omitted from the […]

Allowing Israel to participate in Eurovision 2026 is an abhorrent decision by the European Broadcasting Union, according to Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “RTÉ is to be commended for following up on its commitment to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel was allowed to take part. “It is outrageous […]

The government must immediately respond to weekend reports that it is set to abandon plans to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Yesterday’s report in the Irish Mail on Sunday is deeply concerning. Quoting unnamed Cabinet sources, it suggests the government is set to […]

Israel’s violations of the incredibly delicate ceasefire agreement in Gaza are war crimes, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Today, Israel asserted that the Gaza ceasefire had ‘resumed’ after the Israeli Defence Forces killed over 100 people in a bombing campaign, including 35 children. “Ceasefires cannot be paused by […]

It is abhorrent that Gazans have already been shot dead by Israeli forces just two days after committing to a ceasefire, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “This morning, five people were killed in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of Gaza City – the Israeli Defence Forces couldn’t even go 48 […]

It’s crucial that the government does not become complacent in its support for the Palestinian people now that a ceasefire has been agreed, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “While the announcement of a ceasefire is exceptionally good news, it’s now essential that our focus turns to its preservation […]

The government must urgently intervene to ensure the safety of Irish citizens illegally detained by Israeli forces in international waters, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Reports today indicate that up to five Irish people, including a member of the Oireachtas, are being held by the IDF after a […]