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 past two years.
“After 20 months of bombing and vicious attacks, 51,000 people have been killed, while a further 117,000 have been injured – we’re witnessing evil on a scale not seen for decades.
“This is a genocide characterised by countless violations of international law – bombing hospitals, torturing detainees, targeting children and blocking life-saving aid are just a few of the atrocities Israel has committed since October 7th, 2023.
“Tanaiste Simon Harris’ words are welcome, as are those of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and I’ve no doubt that they mean them on a personal level – but their government has not matched these words with actions.
“It’s irrefutable hypocrisy for the Tanaiste to say that ‘the world is not doing enough’ while his government refuses to make substantial moves to sanction Israel.
“We must see the immediate enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill, which puts into effect the International Court of Justice Ruling of July last year – the government cannot continue to renege on its promise of progressing this essential legislation.
“Alone, this is not sufficient – we must stop the sale of Israeli bonds from our Central Bank, scrap the endorsement of the ill-fitting IHRA definition of anti-semitism, and prevent the use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace to facilitate flying weapons and munitions to a genocidal force.
“Ireland has a unique opportunity to represent the strong sentiment of its people on an EU level by urging the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the recognition of Palestinian statehood, and sanctions that are consistent with those against Russia.
“It’s unfathomable that Israel will be allowed to partake in the Eurovision Song Contest next week while innocent children continue to be slaughtered indiscriminately – I back the National Union of Journalists’ call for RTÉ to formally oppose the terror state’s inclusion in the competition.
“We’ve heard enough talk on Israel’s war crimes – it’s time for action.”
May 7th, 2025