Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA is travelling to Cairo, Egypt, as part of an international diplomatic delegation to meet Palestinian evacuees from Gaza, including those who have been hospitalised as a result of injuries caused by Israel’s genocidal war in the Gaza Strip. It will also assess the continuing oppression of the Palestinian people. 

The delegation, which includes representatives of the South African and Brazilian governments, will meet legal and human rights groups, non governmental organisations, including UNRWA, the Red Crescent, and representatives of the Egyptian Government, between 28th July and 1st August 2024. 

Speaking ahead of the visit, Declan Kearney said: 

“I welcome this important opportunity to join with representatives of the South African and Brazilian governments, among others, to meet with those who have directly experienced Israeli aggression in Gaza and have since evacuated to Egypt. Our diplomatic delegation to Cairo will meet with UNWRA, other non governmental organisations, human rights advocates, and legal experts. 

“This mission to Cairo will listen to, and learn directly from, victims of Israel’s systematic practices of genocide, apartheid, detention, and torture in Gaza. We will also meet with the Egyptian government to discuss its efforts to support the needs of the Palestinian refugees. Our visit will bring an important international focus to the humanitarian plight of Palestinian people who have been forcefully displaced from their homes in Gaza to Egypt. 

“My participation in this international delegation reflects Sinn Féin’s close working relationship with South Africa, and other key international partners, to promote Palestinian human and national rights, to secure a comprehensive ceasefire and a permanent peace process, which guarantees full Palestinian national sovereignty.

“The ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing and collective punishment being inflicted upon the Palestinian people must be stopped. It is time for world leaders to apply the political pressure and sanctions required to stop Israel’s war machine in Palestine.”