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 abide by international law.
“A perceived deviation from an approved route in the West Bank does not warrant firing lethal rounds at a European Union delegation.
“The group’s visit was organised by the Palestinian Authority – this was an intimidation tactic to prevent the Israeli regime from facing further scrutiny.
“It’s incredibly fortunate that nobody was hurt in the incident, but there must be consequences for this aggression – it’s beyond time that the EU takes substantive action towards Benjamin Netanyahu’s murderous regime.
“We cannot wait to be given even more reasons for sanctions – Israel, unsatisfied with its indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza, which has left more than 50,000 people dead, is currently using starvation as a weapon of war by blocking vital humanitarian aid into the region for the past 11 weeks.
“The UN has warned that 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in the next 48 hours under the Israeli aid blockade, a horror beyond comprehension.
“What has to happen for the EU, and our own government, to treat this malice with the seriousness it deserves?
“I once again urge the government to immediately enact the Occupied Territories Bill and for the European Union to immediately suspend its trade deal with Israel.”
May 21st, 2025