Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said Ireland must use all its influence, at home and abroad, to demand an end to Israel’s war and to promote Palestinian national freedom.

Writing for An Phoblacht, the Party’s National Chairperson said:

“Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has now entered its fifth month, with nearly 30,000 dead, the majority of them have been women and children.

“This is not a war of defence. It is being executed as a war of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people; not only in Gaza, but across the West Bank.

“Across Ireland, Sinn Féin is introducing motions in councils which will require compliance with ethical investment and purchasing practices. If successful, this will mean councils cannot do business with those who profit from apartheid practices, and the occupation of Palestine.

“In Dáil Éireann, we have called on the Irish government to join South Africa’s legal case against Israeli genocide at the ICJ. In a failure of leadership, the government parties refused to do so.

“The Irish state should change its position. It should listen to the leaders of the Palestinian struggle, by immediately recognising the state of Palestine.

“In the last few weeks, Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald has directly challenged British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over his government’s support for Israel’s war. Michelle O’Neill has also urged US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to support a ceasefire position.

“In recent days I have called on both the EU and US Ambassadors to Britain to intervene and demand that Israel’s aggression in both Gaza and the West Bank is ended immediately.

“Sinn Féin will seize every political and diplomatic opportunity to call for an end to the genocide and ethnic cleansing, and demand an end to the war, and occupation of Palestine. Whether at home or abroad, all Irish influence must be used on behalf of Palestine.

“This must be to achieve a permanent, unconditional ceasefire: The withdrawal of all Israeli forces from both Gaza and the West Bank: And, an end to the human suffering of every Palestinian.

“This is a watershed moment. The future of Palestine demands that the democratic world finally acts decisively in support of the Palestinian people’s fundamental, national and human rights.”

Read the blog in full: https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/28620