News

Israel’s introduction of the death penalty for Palestinians is a brazen violation of the Geneva Convention, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israel claims to be a modern, progressive country, and though this has long been exposed as fallacy, its decision to employ the death penalty for Palestinians, and […]

It is beyond pathetic that our Government has buried the Occupied Territories Bill while Israel ramps up its ethnic cleansing in Palestine and southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The chaos of the US and Israel’s illegal war in Iran and Lebanon is providing the perfect cloak […]

The government has now received legal advice from the Attorney General and should pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and must now do so without delay, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “At the Business Committee today, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said that updated advice from the Attorney General […]

Our national broadcaster must stand up and lead the way by not broadcasting fixtures against Israel which are due to take place this year, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “I’ve written to RTÉ to ask that the planned Irish National Men’s Team fixtures in the Nations League versus Israel […]

The thousands of peaceful protestors arrested and charged for supporting Palestine Action must have their names cleared after the group’s victory in the High Court, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson Senator Stephenson said: “Palestine Action should never have been proscribed as a terrorist group in the first place – the court’s […]

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 […]

Ireland is failing its responsibilities to uphold international law by refusing to progress the Occupied Territories Bill, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “On Tuesday, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said that new measures to expand the country’s control of the occupied West Bank in Palestine amounts to ‘de […]

Reports that ICE deportation flights carrying Palestinians to Isreal are using Shannon Airport to refuel are deeply disturbing, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Details of these deportations describe Palestinians as having their ankles shackled as they are flown across the world to be abandoned in an apartheid state. […]

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 Minister for Foreign Affairs should contact the British Ambassador to Ireland to raise concerns about the plight of detained Palestine Action activists in the UK, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “I am deeply concerned about the ongoing hunger strike involving the Filton 24 in England, who are […]