Sinn Féin Leader, Mary Lou McDonald, has said that the international community must impose sanctions on Israel for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the slaughter in Gaza.

Teachta McDonald said that the Irish government must play a leading role in making this happen.

Ms McDonald made the remarks following Israeli air strikes on a United Nations refugee shelter which killed eighteen people, including six UNRWA workers.

The Sinn Féin Leader said;

“Israel’s latest atrocity again shows that nowhere is safe in Gaza. These were airstrikes on a shelter for thousands of Palestinian refugees violently displaced from their homes, mainly women and children.

“The targeting of refugee shelters is a brutal violation of humanitarian law which Israel commits with frightening regularity and with impunity.

“The international community must intensify pressure on Netanyahu to call an immediate ceasefire and end its onslaught in Gaza.

“Statements of support and statements of condemnation on their own are not good enough. Concrete action is needed. This means sanctions against Israel.

“The Irish government must use every diplomatic channel available to push for sanctions, particularly at EU level.

“The government must also take the lead at home by enacting the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill.

“The only way to stop Israel carrying out these atrocities is to end the impunity.

“The international community must impose sanctions against Israel to push for a ceasefire, an end to this genocidal war, and a renewed peace process.”