News

Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley has welcomed the decision to drop Lockheed Martin – a major supplier of military hardware to Israel – as one of the sponsors of this year’s Bray Air Display. Cllr Winstanley, who represents Bray West, said: “In response to mounting public pressure, the organisers of the air show have done […]

The interception of the ‘Madleen’ charity vessel and arrest of its crew by Israeli forces represents another egregious breach of international law, according to Senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “I would like to commend the bravery and determination of the 12 peace activists who took […]

The government will have another opportunity to stop the Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds after the Social Democrats announced plans to use its Dáil time to bring forward a cross-party motion on the issue, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Last week, while decrying the situation in Gaza as […]

Ireland has a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention to do everything we can to stop genocide, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is shameful that the government is hiding behind vague legal advice when it comes to preventing the Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli […]

The Dáil should sit next week to fast-track the Occupied Territories Bill, according to Senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “We need to see this bill enacted as a matter of urgency, even if this means recalling the Dáil next week and delaying summer recess. “Almost six months […]

It’s beyond outrageous that the Israeli Defence Forces has fired on a peaceful European Union delegation in the West Bank, which included two Irish diplomats, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Irish lives were put in danger today, marking a clear escalation from the IDF and its unwillingness to […]

The European Union’s belated decision to review its trade agreement with Israel, while welcome, will not come soon enough to stave off the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, according to Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, said: “With dire warnings from the UN that […]

It is outrageous that the Seanad has yet to dedicate debate time to discussing the ongoing genocide in Gaza, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Incredibly, there has yet to be a dedicated debate in the Seanad to discuss the genocide in Gaza. This is outrageous and inexplicable. “At […]

While words of solidarity are welcome, it’s beyond time Ireland takes action to sanction Israel, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who’s the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “We’re now over 60 days into Israel’s blockade of Gaza, one of countless blatant war crimes committed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s genocidal state in the […]

The Taoiseach must push for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at this week’s European Council meeting following the appalling massacre of more than 400 people in Gaza by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on international affairs, said: “The fragile ceasefire between […]