Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence John Brady TD has condemned the forceful eviction of the Salhiye family and the demolition of their home in East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities Tuesday night.

The Wicklow TD said:

“I absolutely condemn the eviction of the Salhiye family from their home in Sheik Jarrah on Tuesday night. This is the second time that this family has been left homeless by the actions of the Israeli authorities.

“In 1948, the Salhiye family were uprooted from their home in Ein Kerem. This week, in freezing temperatures, they were again forcibly removed from their home and forced to watch on as Israeli bulldozers moved in to reduce their home to rubble.

“Now a family of 15 people must face the reality of having lost their home in the middle of winter. The Salhiye family is just the latest Palestinian family who have been evicted from their homes since Christmas in the latest Israeli onslaught against Palestinians.

“This cannot be allowed to continue. The silence of the international community shames us all. We need to see political action. 

“We need to see the international community working to bring an end to the forced dispossessions, the demolitions, and the ongoing apartheid policies of the Israeli authorities.

“The Irish government must speak out. Minister Coveney has a responsibility to raise this targeting of Palestinians at the UN, and the government must speak out in Europe.”