Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has called on other parliaments to follow the lead of the Dáil in demanding immediate ceasefires in the Middle East.

He said that the world must demand that Israel ends the siege and attacks on Gaza.

Teachta Carthy said: “Sinn Féin have been engaging with humanitarian groups on the ground in Gaza. Their immediate request is clear – full, unequivocal and immediate ceasefires.

“This week the Dáil became one of the first parliaments in the world to call for a ceasefire. It was an important international signal that other parliaments should follow – the world must demand that Israel ends the siege and the attacks on Gaza and the Palestinian people.

“We know from Irish history that a lasting and just peace requires negotiations and world leaders acting in good faith. A lasting and just peace between Palestine and Israel requires an end to the occupation and apartheid systems currently imposed on the Palestinian people.

“The events of the past weeks have created a new urgency to the need for decisive international intervention. Rigorous international leadership means demanding immediate ceasefires. That is the call from the Dáil, it must be followed by other parliaments and political leaders.”

Deputy Carthy added that while the Dáil motion was an important development, it was disappointing that some Sinn Féin proposals to strengthen the wording were not accepted by government.

Teachta Carthy continued:

“It is regrettable that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green Party TDs refused to support our amendments that condemned the Israeli actions of forced displacement, collective punishment, the denial of essential supplies and the brutal assault on the civilian population of Gaza as breaches of international law. They need to answer why they chose that approach.

“Sinn Féin will continue to work with government because we recognise that Ireland’s voice on this issue is an important one. That voice must always be used for peace, for justice and for an independent and sovereign Palestine in line with international law and UN resolutions.”