News

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has urged the Government not to squander a valuable opportunity to pass the Occupied Territories Bill before the Dáil is dissolved ahead of a general election. “At the Business Committee today, the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin offered to give up a total of four hours of their Dáil time […]

Israel’s ban on UNRWA operating within its territory will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank and must be met with the strongest possible response by the international community, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “Yet again, the Israeli government […]

Dublin North-West general election candidate for the Social Democrats, Rory Hearne, is not just running for a Dáil seat – he’s also running in support of Palestine in this weekend’s Dublin Marathon. This will be the seasoned runner’s eighth time to participate in the marathon, which takes place this Sunday, October 27. In the most […]

The impunity to commit daily war crimes, that the Israeli government enjoys, is merely emboldening it to commit further atrocities. There is in inherent contradiction in the Irish government co-sponsoring a UN resolution which calls on all States to end trade with illegal Israeli settlements – while it refuses to do that at home, according […]

The Government must immediately outline what action it intends to take following reports that arms shipments destined for Israel flew through Irish airspace, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence, said: “The revelations in the Ditch that an Israel-bound cargo plane travelling from the United States […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed disappointment at the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. “The outcome of today’s vote represents a missed opportunity by MEPs to restore some credibility to the EU, which has been badly damaged on the world stage by its callous indifference to the […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has warmly welcomed the Government’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine but called for further pressure on Israel to end the carnage in Gaza. “The Social Democrats have long called for the Government to match its strong words of condemnation with action – and this is a historic move […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leadership. “Charges against Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant include causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war – including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies – and […]

The Taoiseach must demand an emergency European Council meeting at which sanctions on Israel are on the agenda, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “Israel is pursuing a policy of annihilation and mass destruction in Gaza. Its outrageous ground invasion of Rafah, and the closure of the border crossing which facilitates the […]