Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has welcomed the decision of the Taoiseach, alongside the Spanish Prime Minister, to call on the European Commission to urgently review the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

He said that further action must be taken by the Irish government to send a clear message that Israeli war crimes are unacceptable and that the state of Israel cannot enjoy preferential trading, economic and political relationships with the international community while it continues to breach international law.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Minister Coveney has rightly described Israel as ‘behaving like a rogue state’.

“South Africa has now lodged an urgent request with the International Court of Justice to consider whether the latest Israeli targeting of Rafah breaches its provisional orders.

“That Israel has already committed war crimes in Gaza is beyond dispute.

“Over 28,000 Palestinians, including over 12,000 children, have been killed by Israeli attacks.

“So the question for government is, what is Ireland going to do?

“I welcome the decision of the Taoiseach, alongside the Spanish Prime Minister, to call on the European Commission to urgently review the EU-Israel Association Agreement.  It is a move that should have been taken months ago.

“Government must first immediately commit additional funds to support the crucial work of UNRWA in providing aid for 6 million Palestinian refugees.

“That work is under threat due to the shameless withdrawal of over 50% of its funds and will force the organisation to make harsh choices on the suspension of services by months end.

The Irish government has now an obligation to take further action and to set timeframes in which it will:

• recognise the state of Palestine.
• Enact the Illegal Isareli settlements divestment bill and the Occupied Territories Bill.
• Join the ICJ Genocide case against Israel; and
• Increase funding to UNWRA

“Every diplomatic, economic and political measure at our disposal must now be utilised to sanction Israel for its blatant, cruel and cowardly disregard for international law and the basic rules of humanity.”