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Israel’s plan to ‘erase’ Palestine highlights urgent need for Ireland to pass Occupied Territories Bill

The Israeli government’s intention to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank underscores the importance of Ireland enacting the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) without further delay, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The approval of the E1 project, which would bisect the occupied West Bank and cut it off […]

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Government must act on Foreign Affairs Committee’s report and include services in Occupied Territories Bill

The government must enact the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) without delay following today’s finding by the Foreign Affairs Committee that there is no legal impediment to including services, as well as goods, in the legislation, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The committee’s report, published today, clearly demonstrates that […]

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Gary Gannon TD files proceedings in the High Court against the Central Bank of Ireland

Bonds facilitated by the Central Bank are marketed to fund Israel’s genocidal campaign, the documents of which fail to warn investors of the legal and criminal risks of complicity in atrocious crimes, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Speaking today, Deputy Gannon said: “The legal action questions whether Ireland’s financial regulatory system can […]

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US sanctions of UN Special Rapporteur sets deeply troubling precedent

The government must immediately urge the US to rescind its sanction on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “UN Special Rapporteurs are independent experts charged with upholding human rights – Francesca Albanese is peerless when it comes to highlighting states’ obligations to protect the […]

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Government must move heaven and earth for GAA Palestine trip

If these children are not allowed to come to Ireland it will be a stain on this government that will never be erased The government should be moving heaven and earth to ensure 33 children from the West Bank can travel to Ireland with GAA Palestine next week, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad […]

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Omission of services from draft Occupied Territories Bill shows government lacks conviction

It’s utterly unconscionable that the government has reduced the Occupied Territories Bill to a toothless shadow of itself by removing the ban on services, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It’s deeply disappointing but perhaps unsurprising that there is no mention of banning services in the government’s limp iteration […]

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EU’s anti-fraud watchdog must investigate government’s failure to inspect Shannon flights

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson has called on the EU’s anti-fraud watchdog to launch an investigation into the Irish government’s failure to inspect flights into Shannon that may be facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “There is credible evidence that military contractors and private […]

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EU must impose sanctions on Israeli government ministers

In the wake of the UK sanctioning two Israeli government ministers for inciting violence and violating human rights in Gaza, the EU must do the same, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The EU response to the genocide in Gaza has been shameful. It has failed to suspend the […]

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