Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has condemned Israeli bombing overnight in Gaza as ‘a last ditch effort to appease the worst elements within his own government by murdering Palestinians in advance of a pending ceasefire agreement’.

Teachta Carthy said:

“For 15 months Israel has waged a genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people of Gaza.

“Israel’s overnight bombing of Gaza is a political manoeuvre by Benjamin Netanyahu intended to appease the worst elements within his own government – to him, the murder of Palestinians is incidental.

“They are also needlessly endangering the lives of their own citizens whose release has finally been secured after 15 months.

“Israel has a long and current history of breaching ceasefire agreements – the international community cannot let Israel scupper this agreement which has been the most tangible opportunity yet to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe they have unleashed on Gaza.

“Those who have enabled Israel’s genocide, primarily in the west, must now cease arming Israel and introduce economic sanctions, including through the suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement, to hold them accountable for their crimes, and until they are brought into compliance with international law.

“Israeli apartheid must end.

“The occupation must end.

“Israeli impunity must end.

“Ireland can play its part by passing the occupied territories bill and adopting other sanctions against Israel.

“The watery commitment in the Programme for Government won’t cut it. The time for real action is now.”